Himachal: Mango to lead Kangra fruit basket despite weather stress

Kangra district’s fruit production for 2026-27 is projected at 55,184 metric tonnes (MT), lower than the normal output of 61,248 MT but higher than the past two years, despite erratic weather conditions impacting crops.

The district recorded 52,655 MT production in 2025-26 and 52,581 MT in 2024-25. With around 42,000 hectares under fruit cultivation, Kangra has a strong horticulture base, dominated by mango, which covers nearly 22,000 hectares — more than half of the total area. Other major crops include litchi (3,444 hectares), orange/kinnow (5,787 hectares), beed lime (3,573 hectares), malta/mosambi (1,009 hectares) and galgal (679 hectares).

Block-wise data highlights mango’s dominance in lower Kangra, with Indora leading at about 6,840 hectares under cultivation, followed by Nurpur (3,854 hectares). Pragpur, Dehra and Nagrota Surian also account for a significant share due to favourable agro-climatic conditions.

Deputy Director (Horticulture), Kangra, Alaksh Pathania said mango is expected to remain the top contributor with 24,799 MT production, potentially 1,000 MT higher than last year if weather conditions remain favourable.

Mango output stood at 22,350 MT in 2024-25 and 23,720 MT in 2025-26. However, it is also likely to suffer the highest losses — estimated at around 15 per cent — due to weather stress during flowering and fruit-setting stages.

Citrus crops are expected to yield mixed results, with kinnow production projected at 7,623 MT and orange at 4,425 MT.

Litchi production is estimated at 4,321 MT, slightly below its normal potential of around 4,995 MT. The crop has remained relatively stable in recent years, with 4,375 MT recorded in 2024-25 and about 4,298 MT in 2025-26.

Officials said losses ranging from 5 to 15 per cent across crops have been factored into projections due to unseasonal weather and temperature fluctuations affecting pollination and fruit setting.

Despite these challenges, the projected increase over the past two years reflects the resilience of Kangra’s horticulture sector, aided by extensive cultivation and improved orchard management practices. Experts said output could exceed estimates if weather conditions remain favourable in the coming months.