The Tainan City Government says that this year’s Tainan International Mango Festival will begin on June 25 as scheduled. That’s despite the devastation that a cold winter and heavy rains have brought to this year’s mango harvest.
Mangoes are an important cash crop for the Tainan area, with exports of Irwin mangoes alone reaching China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Australia. Exports last year reached 100,000 metric tons, a 40% increase over 2014.
Since 2013, Tainan has been building the reputation of its mangoes and promoting local tourism with the Tainan International Mango Festival. In previous years, the annual festival has brought in overseas visitors and trade delegations.
But unusually cold weather at the beginning of the year coupled with torrential rain to destroy much of this year’s mango harvest. Prices have doubled, and exports might fall to below a tenth of what they were last year. Soaring prices have even led the Tainan City Government to send police patrols to mango orchards in order to prevent theft.
On Friday, the Tainan government said that the festival will continue as planned, and that 1000 overseas visitors have already signed up to participate.