How to Grow Mango
Mango (Mangifera indica) is a fruit crop that yields 8–30 tonnes per hectare and takes 3–5 years to first commercial harvest; productive 40+ years to harvest. It grows best in deep, well-drained sandy loam, pH 5.5–7.5; tolerates lateritic soils, needs 500–1,500 mm of water, and is widely grown in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Armenia. The current average farm-gate price on GeraFarm is about $0.70 per kg.
Yield / hectare
8–30 tonnes
Time to harvest
3–5 years to first commercial harvest; productive 40+ years
Avg. price
$0.70/kg
Top regions
Ghana, Kenya
About Mango
Mango is one of Africa's fastest-growing fruit export categories. Ghana and Kenya are expanding GlobalG.A.P.-certified production targeting EU fresh markets; dried mango processing adds value in surplus seasons.
Mango growing facts
- Scientific name
- Mangifera indica
- Category
- Fruit
- Yield per hectare
- 8–30 tonnes
- Time to harvest
- 3–5 years to first commercial harvest; productive 40+ years
- Growing season
- Perennial; harvest March–September (West Africa), May–August (East Africa)
- Avg. farm-gate price
- $0.70 / kg
- Soil requirements
- Deep, well-drained sandy loam, pH 5.5–7.5; tolerates lateritic soils
- Water requirements
- 500–1,500 mm; dry season needed for flowering; irrigate during fruit development
How to grow mango, step by step
- 1
Prepare soil to the crop’s needs
Test and prepare your soil to match mango's requirement: Deep, well-drained sandy loam, pH 5.5–7.5; tolerates lateritic soils. Correct pH and add organic matter before planting.
- 2
Plant in the right window
Plant during the recommended season: Perennial; harvest March–September (West Africa), May–August (East Africa). Use certified seed or healthy planting material to avoid carrying over disease.
- 3
Irrigate to target
Supply 500–1,500 mm; dry season needed for flowering; irrigate during fruit development. Even, well-timed moisture during the critical growth stages drives yield and quality.
- 4
Scout and protect against disease
Watch for Mango anthracnose and Powdery mildew. Rotate crops, keep good spacing for airflow, and act early — AI disease-scan apps can warn you days before damage is visible.
- 5
Harvest at the right time
Harvest after 3–5 years to first commercial harvest; productive 40+ years. Handle gently and cool quickly to cut post-harvest losses, which can otherwise reach 20–40%.
- 6
Sell direct for a better price
List your mango free on GeraFarm, set your own price, and sell direct to verified buyers — keeping the margin a broker would otherwise take.
Diseases & pests to watch for
- Mango anthracnose
- Powdery mildew
- Bacterial black spot
- Mango fruit fly
- Scale insects
Smart-farming tips for mango
- Fruit fly trap network AI maps pest pressure and triggers spray alerts 5 days before threshold
- Colour-based ripeness AI (smartphone camera) guides pickers for optimal eating quality
- Cold-chain corridor maps help exporters plan mango routes to EU GlobalG.A.P. markets
- Orchard yield prediction AI uses canopy coverage satellite data to forecast 4 weeks ahead
- Export-variety guides (Kent, Keitt, Tommy Atkins) show which varieties command EU premium prices
Get mango price alerts & growing tips
Seasonal mango price updates, planting reminders and disease alerts, plus when to sell for the best price — straight to your inbox. Free.
Growing mango — frequently asked questions
- How much mango can you grow per hectare?
- A well-managed mango crop yields 8–30 tonnes per hectare. Actual yield depends on variety, soil fertility, irrigation, and disease pressure — Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Armenia, India are among the leading growing regions. On GeraFarm, growers selling direct typically earn 40–60% more than through traditional middlemen.
- When is the mango growing season and how long until harvest?
- Mango is typically planted in: Perennial; harvest March–September (West Africa), May–August (East Africa). It takes 3–5 years to first commercial harvest; productive 40+ years to reach harvest. Timing your planting to local conditions is the single biggest factor in yield.
- What soil and water does mango need?
- Mango prefers Deep, well-drained sandy loam, pH 5.5–7.5; tolerates lateritic soils. Water requirement: 500–1,500 mm; dry season needed for flowering; irrigate during fruit development. Matching soil and irrigation to these needs is essential for a healthy mango crop.
- What are the main diseases and pests that affect mango?
- The most common threats to mango are Mango anthracnose, Powdery mildew, Bacterial black spot. Crop rotation, certified seed or planting material, good spacing for airflow, and early scouting are the most reliable defences. AI disease-scan tools can flag many of these before they spread visibly.
- Is mango farming profitable?
- Mango sells for around $0.70 per kg at farm gate, and a hectare can yield 8–30 tonnes. Profitability hinges on yield, input costs, post-harvest losses, and the price you can negotiate — selling direct to buyers on GeraFarm removes the broker margin that usually takes 40–60% of the gap between farm-gate and retail price.
- Where can I sell mango after harvest?
- You can list mango free on GeraFarm and reach verified buyers — restaurants, wholesalers, processors and exporters — in 50+ countries. There are no listing fees, only a small commission on completed sales, and you set your own price in your local currency.