Origin of Miyazaki Mango
Miyazaki: Why are the world's costliest mangoes considerably cheap in Bangladesh?
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.
4 months ago