Israel's Mango Output to Plummet 80%, Farmers Sell at Loss

Israeli farmers are bracing for a catastrophic mango harvest in 2026, with production expected to plummet by as much as 80%. This sharp decline is attributed to unfavorable weather conditions during the critical flowering and fruiting stages.

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The situation is simply a disaster. This year's yield is down more than 80% compared to last year.

Growers in the Galilee region reported that low temperatures and excessive rainfall in March hindered the activity of essential pollinators. This disruption led to poor pollination rates and significantly impacted fruit development. Alex Kaplan, manager of Kibbutz Kinneret's orchards, described the situation as a "disaster," noting that his expected yield of 120 tons is a fraction of the 700 tons harvested in 2025.

The consequences extend beyond reduced quantity. Kaplan explained that many flower clusters failed to develop into fruit, while others produced fruits lacking seeds, diminishing their market value. Compounding the financial strain, farmers must contend with high costs associated with managing the natural disaster. To recoup some losses, they are forced to sell the substandard mangoes at approximately 1 shekel per kilogram (about 10.8 US cents), a price point that falls below their production and harvesting expenses.

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In 2025 I harvested 700 tons of mangoes. This year I expect to harvest a maximum of 120 tons.

This year's meager harvest starkly contrasts with the bumper crop of 2025, which led to oversupply and depressed earnings. The current situation leaves farmers in a precarious financial position, struggling to cover costs and facing uncertainty about future harvests.

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Many flower clusters are still bare in the stage where they should be fruiting; and some places have already borne fruit, but the fruit developed abnormally, without seeds.