Maharashtra’s Alphonso Mangoes Weather Heatwaves, Yet Export Reach Grows to 34 Nations

It’s been a tough season for mango growers in Maharashtra. The state’s famed Alphonso orchards, which usually bask in perfectly‑timed sunshine, have been scorched by an unrelenting heatwave that rolled across western India earlier this month. Farmers are reporting wilted trees, lower yields and a palpable worry that this year’s crop won’t match the sweetness of previous harvests.

Yet, amid the sweating rows of mango trees, there’s a surprisingly upbeat story on the trade front. According to the government, India’s Alphonso mangoes are now being shipped to 34 countries – a fresh record, even if the exact list of destinations wasn’t disclosed.

“The export figures are coming from official channels and they show that our mangoes are in demand worldwide,” said Jitin Prasada, the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, in a brief statement to the press. He added that despite the crop‑level challenges, the broader supply chain is holding together.

Behind the scenes, the National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) is busy coordinating with Japanese authorities. The two sides are trying to iron out a handful of issues that surfaced during the 2026 pre‑season inspection of India’s export facilities – a routine check that, this time, raised a few red flags for Japan.

Exporters themselves are sounding a note of caution. They say freight costs have jumped, war‑risk surcharges are now a regular line item, and container shortages are making it harder to get crates onto ships. On top of that, port congestion – a by‑product of geopolitical turbulence in West Asia and the Middle East – is causing shipment delays that none of the mango‑exporting houses liked to see.

In short, while the heat has definitely taken a bite out of the Maharashtra fields, the market for Alphonso mangoes is proving resilient. Growers are hoping a better monsoon later in the year will restore yields, while traders keep a close eye on logistics and diplomatic talks that could smooth the path to those 34 global markets.