Cooler weather triggers early mango bloom in São Paulo

Unusual cold spells in the Brazilian state of São Paulo are setting the stage for a stronger mango harvest in 2025. In key production zones like Monte Alto and Taquaritinga, mango trees have begun blooming earlier than expected — an encouraging sign for growers who saw weaker yields last year.

According to analysts from Hortifrúti-Cepea, a research group linked to the University of São Paulo that monitors fruit and vegetable markets, the drop in temperatures has directly stimulated flowering, a critical step in fruit development. Unlike in 2024, when daytime highs rarely dipped below 30°C, this year’s May and June saw two cold fronts sweep through the region, bringing maximum temperatures down to around 20°C.

Data from Brazil’s National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) confirm that these cooler conditions have favoured floral induction over vegetative growth, which could lead to better fruit set and higher yields. If the weather trend holds, the 2025–26 mango season is expected to begin earlier than usual, with the Tommy variety likely to be ready by late September, and Palmer following by mid-October due to its longer development cycle.

In addition to the cooler temperatures, lower rainfall has helped limit phytosanitary issues so far, particularly bacterial spot, which can be aggravated by humidity. However, experts warn that if rainfall increases and humidity rises, farmers will need to ramp up monitoring and management to avoid potential outbreaks.

source: hfbrasil.org.br

photo: researchgate.net