Why Mangosteen, the viral TikTok fruit, is so expensive

Buying just over a pound of fresh mangosteen in the United States can set you back nearly $80. This delicate fruit needs specific environmental conditions to grow, and picking mangosteens at the perfect time is crucial to ensure optimal flavor and texture, adding to the complexity of harvesting.

Until 2007, the US banned mangosteen imports from the largest producers – countries such as Thailand and Indonesia. Even though the commercial supply of mangosteen has increased since then, it still does not meet today’s demand. We went to Kerala, India to see how mangosteens are grown and find out what makes them so expensive.