Growers in Maharashtra, particularly in the famed Devgad region, are reporting catastrophic losses to the Alphonso mango crop, often hailed as the "King of Mangoes." Unprecedented weather conditions, including sharp temperature variations and intense heat, have severely impacted flowering and fruit development, leading to widespread devastation across the state's mango belt.
Severe Crop Damage Impacts Local Farmers
Horticulturists like Komal Walke, a 26-year-old from Devgad, describe a grim reality. Her family's three-acre orchard yielded almost no Alphonso mangoes this season. To fulfill orders from online grocery companies and maintain customer relationships, Walke has been forced to source fruit from larger, less affected farms. "If we don't deliver on our orders, the big clients will not return next year," she stated.
A government-backed survey by scientists and field officials estimated crop losses in Devgad alone to be between 85% and 90%. Similar levels of damage have been reported across other key mango-growing areas in Maharashtra.
Unusual Weather Patterns Blamed
Agriculture officials attribute the widespread damage to extreme and unpredictable weather. A sharp variation between day and night temperatures during December and January disrupted the crucial flowering stage. This was followed by unusually hot conditions in April and May, which further damaged the developing fruit. Bapusaheb Manikrao Lambade, a government agriculture officer in Devgad, confirmed these climatic factors as the primary cause of the poor yield.
These severe conditions coincide with growing concerns over the El Niño phenomenon, which is linked to global weather pattern changes and is forecast to affect agricultural production across parts of Asia, South America, and Africa. The India Meteorological Department has also predicted above-normal heatwave days across eastern, central, and northwestern India during the hot weather season.
Broader Economic Impact and Export Challenges
India stands as the world's largest mango producer, having harvested 28 million metric tonnes in the 2024-25 season. The country's mango industry was valued at approximately $2.3 billion last year, with projections to grow to about $3.4 billion by 2031. The significant losses to the Alphonso crop, a premium variety, are expected to have a notable economic ripple effect.
Beyond domestic consumption, India is a substantial exporter of mangoes and mango pulp, with exports valued at $56 million and $80 million respectively in 2025. However, the weather-related crop devastation has been compounded by disruptions in West Asia. Freight costs have more than doubled, and delays and cancellations of shipments to Gulf destinations like Dubai and Oman have led to a decline in exports. Shridhar Pathak, co-founder of Shreevali Agro, noted a nearly 40% fall in his company's shipments this year.
The fruit originally designated for overseas markets is now being sold domestically, creating pressure on local prices despite the overall lower production. This complex scenario presents significant challenges for both growers and the wider Indian mango industry.