In summer, mango lovers across the country indulge in seasonal delights like Hapus, Pairi, Lalbagh, and Keshar.
But one farmer in Pune has taken his passion for mangoes to a global scale, cultivating rare and exotic varieties, including the world-famous Miyazaki mango from Japan.
Farooq Inamdar, a farmer and former local politician from Varvand village of Pune district in Maharashtra, has successfully grown 120 mango trees on just 20 gunthas (half an acre) of land. Of these, 90 are international varieties, while 30 are native to India.
Among his prized collections is the Miyazaki mango, renowned for its exorbitant price, fetching as much as Rs2.7 lakh per kilogram in Japan and around Rs1.5 lakh per kilogram in India.
Inamdar's journey toward cultivating these rare species began during a pilgrimage to the Hajj, where he witnessed a vast selection of mangoes from around the world. Inspired, he imported saplings from various countries and began growing them on his farm in Pune.
Two years later, the trees have successfully borne fruit, with his farm now hosting global varieties such as Red African, Red Taiwan, Arunika, Banana Mango, A2 R2 from Australia, Katomoni and Shahjahan from Bangladesh, and the sought-after Miyazaki.
While most exotic mangoes command several thousand rupees per kilogram, Miyazaki stands out for its premium pricing. A single kilogram contains four to six mangoes, each weighing approximately 300 grams.
Inamdar also highlighted another high-yielding tree, "Koyatur," which produces 8-10kg of mangoes per season and fetches prices between Rs1,500 and Rs5,000 per fruit.
Encouraged by his success, he plans to expand his efforts by cultivating even more rare mango varieties worldwide. Inamdar also clarified that although he is getting several demands from online buyers for his mangoes, he decided to use all the mangoes this time for his consumption.
Why are Miyazaki mangoes so expensive?
The Miyazaki mango, also known as the "Egg of the Sun," is a special type of mango that comes from the Miyazaki region in Japan. It is famous for its bright red color, perfect shape, and very sweet, juicy taste. This mango is grown with a lot of care, including hand-pollination and careful watering, which makes the fruit very high quality.
Miyazaki mangoes are expensive because they are rare and grown in limited numbers. The farming process is labor-intensive, and only a few mangoes are produced from each tree. Because of its unique flavor and appearance, many people want to buy it. When the mangoes are exported to other countries, the cost of shipping and taxes also adds to the price. This is why Miyazaki mangoes can cost as much as Rs 2.7 lakh per kilogram, making them one of the most expensive mangoes in the world.
