ISHS Acta Horticulturae 341: IV International Mango Symposium
THE SOUTH AFRICAN MANGO INDUSTRY |
| Author: | J. Colyn |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.1993.341.4 |
| Abstract:
As early as the 17th century mangoes were introduced to South Africa. Over the years processing has become a very important part of production and 60% of the crop is processed to achar (45%) and juice (14%). Exports amount to about 10% and local fresh fruit sales to 31% of the total. The total crop for the 1991/92 season amounted to 42 thousand tons. Mangoes are grown in the eastern lowveld regions of the Northern Transvaal Province with rainfall varying between 400 and 1 000 mm annually. Cold spells during winter often result in poor fruit set. New developments are mostly done under irrigation. Although the fibrous cultivars Peach and Sabre still play an important part in the processing and local market sales, the planting of fibreless cultivars increased sharply during the past few years. The cultivars Zill, Tommy Atkins, Sensation, Kent and Keitt are the most important. Powdery mildew, blossom malformation, blossom blight and bacterial blackspot are important pre-harvest diseases with anthracnose and soft brown rot causing most of the post-harvest problems. Important insect problems are mango weevil and mango scale. The South African Mango Growers' Association (SAMGA) is a voluntary organisation with an estimated 90% of mango growers as members. The association co-ordinates and funds mango research, extension and more recently the feedback from overseas concerning our export fruit. The funds for meeting the commitments of the association are gathered as a voluntary levy contribution. | |
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