Mango, following bananas, stands as Sri Lanka's most extensively cultivated fruit crop. The Department of Census and Statistics highlights a 6.9% increase in mango cultivation area over 2018-2023, totaling 28,372 hectares. This period also saw a 12.2% rise in national mango production, with a per hectare yield increase of 5%. Sri Lanka's mango industry, rich in tradition, ranks mangoes as the third most valuable fruit consumed, trailing bananas and papayas. Dominant cultivars in the market include 'Betti', 'Karthacolomban', 'Vellaicolomban', 'Kohu', 'Villard', and 'TomEJC'.
In the last two decades, the geographic spread of mango cultivation has shifted significantly, with 65.36% now concentrated in nine districts. Anuradapurahas overtaken Kurunegala as the leading cultivation area. Export markets have seen a robust growth in fresh and dried mango exports, with figures reaching 374 metric tons and 63 metric tons respectively by 2022. Despite these advancements, seasonality remains a challenge, affecting production and market prices.
Seasonal production peaks result in marked price fluctuations. Mango production peaks twice annually, leading to significant price variations. For example, in 2023, Karthakolomban prices saw a 70% decrease from September to December. Additionally, price disparities exist nationwide, influenced by regional harvest periods and market saturation levels.
Source: www.ft.lk