When it comes to mouth-watering fruits like mangoes, people usually don't bother much about the price. The opportunity to taste this fruit comes only at a certain time of the year. However, this is not the case with Miyazaki mangoes. Their vibrant color and unparalleled farming process command staggering prices in the global market, making them a symbol of luxury. Yet, in a surprising twist, this coveted fruit is being sold at significantly lower prices in Bangladesh. What hidden factors are at play? Let’s dive deeper to unveil the intriguing facts.

The Origin of the Miyazaki Mango

First cultivated in Japan during the period from 1868 to 1912, Miyazaki mangoes gained international recognition in the 1970s. These prized fruits originate from Miyazaki, a city in Japan's Kyushu state, hence their name. Locally, they are known as ‘Taiyo-no-Tomago,’ meaning ‘Egg of the Sun.’ Their striking dark red hue has earned them the ‘Red Mango’ moniker internationally.

Production of Miyazaki Mango in Bangladesh

While these foreign mangoes are cultivated across the country, the Chattogram Hill Tracts stand out in terms of production. Along with varieties like Rangui and Amrapali, these exotic mangoes thrive particularly well in this region. The hilly areas’ climate, with hot daytime temperatures and significantly cooler night temperatures, accelerates the sweetening process of these mangoes, making them mature faster than in the lowlands.

One remarkable example is the 35-acre mango garden established in 2016 in the Dhumnighat area of Mahalchhari upazila in Khagrachari. This garden boasts around 120 “Egg of the Sun” (another name for Miyazaki) mango trees, each aged between 3 to 4 years, and each tree has yielded 30 to 40 mangoes so far. 

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In another instance, a mango orchard in the Hazra area of Natore produced approximately 800 kilograms of Miyazaki mangoes in 2023. The orchard owner hopes to produce at least 2,000 kilograms this year.

Interestingly, at the Directorate of Agricultural Extension's fruit garden in Dhaka's Asad Gate, several mango trees recently failed to bear fruit, except for a few small trees. These exceptional trees were none other than the Japanese Miyazaki mangoes.

Price Comparison of Miyazaki Mangoes in Bangladesh and the Global Market

At the inception of its cultivation, Miyazaki mangoes were initially sold for up to BDT 5,000 per kilogram. However, by 2023, prices plummeted, with many farmers selling them for as little as BDT 2,000 per kilogram, and some even less. In 2021, these mangoes produced in Khagrachari were sold for BDT 300 to 500 per kilogram. Prices often doubled in the retail market, reaching BDT 800 to 1,000.

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The countrywide average price of one piece of this fruit was then BDT 400 to 500 per kilogram. In 2023, these Japanese mangoes were priced at BDT 200 to 250 per kilogram. This year, a mango orchard in North Betka Mamudatpur village of Munshiganj produced 30 kilograms of Miyazaki mangoes from four trees, selling at a minimum of BDT 700 per kilogram.

The stark contrast is evident when compared to the international market. In 2016, a pair of Taiyo no Tomago (Miyazaki) mangoes fetched JPY 500,000 at an auction in Fukuoka, Japan, equivalent to USD 4,547 at that time. By 2019, the price of a pair of Taiyo no Tamago in Japan soared to approximately USD 5,000. In 2023, these premium mangoes sold for Rs 2 lakh 50 thousand per kilogram in India. Currently, international prices for these deep red mangoes range from USD 800 to 900 per kilogram, equivalent to BDT 93,801 to 105,526 (USD 1 = BDT 117.25).

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Reasons Behind the High Price of the Deep Red Mango Around the World

Unparalleled Congenial Environment

Miyazaki in Japan is renowned for its abundant citrus fruit production, yet its climate is uniquely ideal for mangoes as well. The subtropical environment is blessed with fertile soil, ample rainfall, abundant sunlight, and consistently warm temperatures.

Unique Farming Method

The exquisite mangoes are nurtured inside covered greenhouses throughout their lifespan, ensuring optimal temperatures and shielding them from unpredictable weather. Early in the growing season, around 80 percent of budding fruits are selectively removed to divert all nutrients to the chosen ones, fostering larger mangoes.

Each developing mango receives special attention: Delicate netting is carefully wrapped around them and attached to overhead wires within the greenhouse. This not only supports the fruit as it matures but also plays a crucial role in achieving its distinctive deep red color. Miyazaki's abundant sunshine naturally transforms the mangoes while strategically placed reflectors beneath them ensure a uniform hue.

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Rather than being handpicked, the mangoes are left to ripen fully on the tree. When they naturally fall, the netting cushions their descent, preserving their velvety texture and signature sweet taste.

Quality Control

Before being delivered for sale, these fresh mangoes undergo rigorous inspections to ensure they meet strict criteria for weight, size, shape, and sugar content. Farmers are not given the responsibility of testing the mangoes even though they are there for the whole time of cultivation and care.

Rarity

The unparalleled quality achieved through precise environmental management sets them apart globally. Moreover, their distinctive deep red color, a result of optimal ripening conditions, is a rarity among mango varieties, adding to their allure and exclusivity in the market.

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Why Miyazaki Mangoes are Sold at Comparatively Lower Prices in Bangladesh

Produced without Special Care

In Bangladesh, cultivating Taiyo no Tomago mangoes differs significantly from the meticulous practices observed in Japan. Here, these foreign mangoes are often grown alongside various other mango varieties, without dedicated attention. Unlike in Japan, where the mangoes are nurtured in separate net houses with precise control over sunlight and water, the Bangladeshi cultivation process does not apply such focused care.

One noticeable difference is the absence of the deep red hue, bordering on purple, that defines these mangoes' appeal. This hallmark of its quality is achieved through specific cultivation techniques, which are currently not fully replicated here.

Inadequate Knowledge of the Process

In the picturesque Alutila region of Khagrachari, a sprawling 20-acre mango orchard hosts 50 Miyazaki mango trees. Despite the potential for higher yields, with each tree producing an average of 2 mangoes in 2023, the fruit grower faced challenges in retaining the fruit. This was primarily due to the lack of needful things specifically tailored for the deep red mangoes alongside other varieties.

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Subsequent Rise in Yields Across the Country

According to agronomists and mango growers, 2024 is an 'off year' for mangoes. This fruit is known for its alternating good and bad years in the country. According to the Department of Agriculture's data, overall mango production is expected to decrease by at least 15 percent compared to the previous year. However, the production of the Japanese mango surged from 24 tons in the 2022-23 fiscal year to a record-breaking 25 tons in 2023-24.

To Sum Up

The cultivation process and dedication to quality are what set Miyazaki or Egg of the Sun mangoes apart, making them a true culinary treasure revered around the world. Deep red mango cultivation is already commercialized across the country and is expanding steadily. All that is needed is to train Bangladeshi fruit growers in this specialized farming technique. With the proper knowledge, farmers can increase production and make significant profits. Consequently, local agricultural markets will improve, and foreign exchange can be earned as well.

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