Why shoppers in Birmingham are struggling to get their hands on boxes of mangoes

It’s officially the start of mango season and demand for the highly sought-after fruit has reached its peak in Birmingham. You can tell mango season has arrived just by walking down the street – recycling bins fill up with boxes as families buy them in bulk.

These are not widely available mangoes that you can buy at the supermarket. These are the Indian and Pakistani soft orange varieties that run for a very short but sweet season.

Every year, large numbers of imported South Asian mangoes are sold in Birmingham and the UK – with prices this year reaching £22 for a box of 12 of the Alphonso variety. Families will fight to secure a good quality box and are even happy to pay a premium.

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But why is mango season so popular? Well, depending on the variety you’re looking for, the season runs roughly from May to August, stopping abruptly with the first sign of rain in India and Pakistan.

So time is limited and each month brings the availability of a new variety, which sees boxes of the prized fruit flying off store shelves in the South Asian city.

Varieties sold in Birmingham are often sweeter than nectar, offering unparalleled levels of flavor. These mangoes have saffron-colored flesh that protrudes from their yellow skin—their fruity flavor is addictive.

Popular varieties available in Birmingham include Kesar, Badami and Alphonso, also known as the ‘king of mangoes’. Last year I visited Shree Krishna Vada Pav (SKVP) in Shirley, who converted part of their restaurant into a mango market.

“I haven’t met (anyone) who has any association with India, not like mangoes. Alphonso are the best mangoes in the world,” SKVP’s Mahesh Raika told us.

“The stock comes in on Friday, by Monday it’s all gone. People pre-book boxes of mangoes through the app or over the phone, or come and pick them up in person,” explained Mahesh.

How to eat a mango

Part of the ritual is enjoying the mango in a certain way and spending time with it. Lay the mango on its side and cut off each cheek and side.

You can scoop mangoes into cubes, with softer varieties like Alphonso, it’s better to scoop it out like ice cream from the skin. Be sure to cut the stone, which is the jewel in the crown – don’t throw it away!

The pit is the juiciest, most flavorful piece of fruit, you may have to eat it over the sink, but it’s worth it when you feel those sweet juices flowing. Forget the mess that usually follows, it’s mango season after all and it’s totally worth it.