Wet spell sours kesar mangoes' sweetness
Gir Kesar
, famed for its intense sweetness, rich aroma and juicy pulp, has left mango lovers disappointed this season.
Prolonged spell of
unseasonal rainfall
has impacted both the taste and quality of the mangoes, leading to a noticeable dip in consumer demand — with many turning to Alphonso mangoes despite the end of their peak season.
Apeksha Jivrajani, a Rajkot resident and mango enthusiast, said, "We start consuming mangoes early in the season when alphonsos hit the market in March.
Kesar mangoes
are usually our favourite, but this year, the fruit has been tasteless. We're now waiting for Kutchi Kesar, which are expected by mid-June."
Farmers across major Kesar-growing regions — including Talala, Gir Gadhda, and Dhari — have confirmed the decline in taste.
The primary reason: unseasonal rain during key growing phases.
Sumeet Jariya, a farmer from Talala, explained, "The sweetness has decreased because of untimely rains, which also affected the overall fruit quality."
Jayesh Hirpara, who cultivates mangoes in Gir Gadhda, added, "We irrigate our orchards three to four times a season. But the extra water from rainfall upset the natural balance, accelerating ripening and reducing the fruit's sugar levels."
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From Dhari, farmer Uka Bhatti said, "A short spell of rain wouldn't have mattered, but this time the wet spell lasted nearly a week. That prolonged moisture spoiled the taste. However, if sunshine is bright over the next few days, the next harvest may improve."
In addition to quality issues, production has also taken a hit. Farmers report a 20–30% drop in yield this year, mainly due to extended winter conditions and wide temperature fluctuations from Jan to March that disrupted fruit formation.
Kesar mango cultivation covers 40,000 hectares across 11 districts in Saurashtra, with Gir Somnath, Junagadh, Amreli, and Bhavnagar being the key producers. The region typically produces 2.80 lakh metric tonnes annually.
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