Climate change causes around 80% decline in mango production

In Egypt, the region of Ismailia is the most important zone for the cultivation of mangoes, but this year the volume of production will be minimal. The losses are estimated at 80% of the usual volume. Main reason: climate change.

 

Region located northeast of the Egyptian capital, Cairo, and near the Suez Canal, the Ismailia region is the most important mango growing area in the country. Last year Ismailia produced 260,000 tonnes of different types of mangoes, nearly 12% of the total production in Egypt.

 

But this year the losses could reach up to 80% of the usual production, according to the estimates of professionals in the sector. Due to the extraordinarily high temperature, recorded last March, which destroyed most of the mangoes before they ripened on the trees, explained Ayman Hamouda, director of the Horticultural Research Institute, which reports to the Ministry of Agriculture.

 

The losses could be even greater than these estimates, some producers admit to having harvested only 5% of the usual expected volume.

 

Rising temperatures not only endanger mangoes but also threaten other Egyp crops, including bananas and tomatoes, according to the Horticultural Research Institute.

 

 

source : al-monitor.com