Review of Mango Value Chain in Ethiopia

Abstract

Mango is one of the main fruit crop produced and exported in Ethiopia. The main objective of this review is to review mango production and marketing system with their respective constraints, to identify major actors along mango value chain and their respective functions along the chain and to review current status and potential opportunities of mango in Ethiopian economy. Accordingly, using of small scale irrigation, fertilizer application, use of farm yard manure, intercropping with other crops and mixed farming systems are the main mango production practices adopted in different parts of the country. In line with this, the main constraints of mango production are mentioned as irrigation water scarcity, pest and disease and technology limitation, limited access to mango varieties, and limited capacity in R&D.  Marketing system of mango in Ethiopia is characterized by use of traditional transportation means such as donkeys, cart, human back and marketing is mainly oriented on local market. The main constraints of mango marketing are mentioned as lack of markets to absorb the production, low price for the products, poor product handling and packaging, imperfect pricing system and lack of transparency in market information system mainly in the export market. The main factors involved along mango value chain are input suppliers, producers, collectors, wholesalers, retailers and processors. Currently, mango sub-sector is a good entry point for tackling poverty and that the market for mangoes in Ethiopia is significant and growing. Distribution of pest and disease resistance and early maturing varieties is a method to increase production potential. Facilities like road, canal and transportation system should be improved for further dimension and to reduce the loss.

Keywords: mango, value chain, production constraints, spatial market