Seasonal fruits in India follow the weather: mangoes, watermelon and lychee in summer, jamun and pears in the monsoon, pomegranate and guava in autumn, and oranges and berries in winter. Regions differ, so treat the months here as a rough guide.
Why eat seasonal fruit
A fruit that ripens where it grows, in its natural months, is usually fresher by the time it reaches you. It has often travelled a shorter distance, and when supply is plentiful the price is often lower. Taste is the other reason. Most of us can tell the difference between a sweet summer mango and an out-of-season one that has been stored for weeks.
We are a mango seller, so this page leans on the fruit we know best. We have tried to keep the rest practical: when each fruit is generally ripest across India, how to choose it, and what to do when its season ends. Months below are approximate, because climate, altitude and the year's weather move them around.
India fruit calendar by season
This table gives a rough picture. A fruit can appear earlier in the south or later in the hills, so look at what your local market is actually stacking.
| Season | Fruits commonly at their best |
|---|---|
| Summer (about March to June) | Mango, watermelon, muskmelon, lychee, jackfruit |
| Monsoon (about June to September) | Jamun, pear, plum, peach, cherries from the hill states, custard apple at the end |
| Autumn (about September to November) | Pomegranate, guava, apple, custard apple |
| Winter (about November to February) | Oranges and mandarins, guava, pomegranate, Mahabaleshwar berries, grapes in some regions |
| Most of the year | Banana, papaya, pineapple, coconut |
Treat the table as a starting point. If you want the detail for mangoes alone, our guide to the Alphonso mango season sets out the months for Alphonso, and our page on mango varieties in India shows how other types follow it.
Summer fruits and mangoes
Summer is mango season. In India, mango harvest and sale generally take place from March to May, and some varieties run later. Our Alphonso is harvested from about February to June, with the best supply from March to May. The 2027 season opens on 1 February 2027. India produces roughly 43% of the world's mangoes (a figure from FAO data that also includes mangosteens and guavas), about 26 million tonnes in 2023.
Alphonso, also called hapus, is grown on the Konkan coast. We source it across 48 villages of the Ratnagiri and Devgad belt, and you can read about the names in our page on Alphonso aam and hapoos aam. Other mangoes you will see in markets include Kesar, Pairi, Totapuri and Langra. Choosing between them is a matter of taste, and our guide on which mango is best helps with the choice.
We do not use carbide. Our Alphonso mangoes are ripened naturally on hay beds. Using calcium carbide to ripen fruit is prohibited in India under Regulation 2.3.5 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, whichever fruit it is. Whatever you buy, ask the seller how it was ripened.
Other summer fruits are lighter. Watermelon and muskmelon are mostly water and are easy to eat on a hot day. Lychee has a short season and is best enjoyed fresh. Jackfruit is a big, sticky fruit that people often buy cut. Store melons whole at room temperature and refrigerate cut pieces.
Monsoon fruits
When the rains begin, the fruit stalls change. Jamun, with its dark purple skin, appears around the start of the monsoon. Pears, plums and peaches arrive from the hill states, and cherries come from the cooler regions. Wash all monsoon fruit well before eating, because humid weather can spoil fruit quickly and splashes in the market carry dirt. Our note on how to clean fruits and vegetables has simple steps.
Autumn and winter fruits
As the weather cools, pomegranate and guava come in, followed by oranges and mandarins in winter. Apples from the hills are harvested in autumn. Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra is known for its winter berries, which sell out quickly because they are delicate. We keep a listing for them on our Mahabaleshwar berries page when they are in season.
Citrus fruit gives vitamin C, and guava and pomegranate bring fibre and colour. We do not claim that any single fruit prevents illness. Eating a range of fruit through the year is the sensible approach, and anyone with a medical condition should ask their doctor or dietitian what suits them.
Choosing and storing fruit
- Smell it. Mango, melon and guava give off a sweet smell when ripe. No smell often means it is not ready.
- Press gently. A ripe fruit yields a little under the thumb. Rock-hard fruit needs time, and wet dark patches mean it is past its best.
- Let firm fruit ripen at room temperature. Keep mangoes and pears out of the fridge until they soften, and then refrigerate ripe fruit for a couple of days.
- Do not stack soft fruit. Ripe mangoes bruise easily, so keep them in a single layer.
- Buy what you can eat. Ripe fruit does not keep for long, so buy smaller amounts more often.
For mangoes specifically, see our guide to ripening mangoes at home.
When a fruit is out of season
Seasons end, and a different form of the fruit can fill the gap. Dried fruit, pulp and frozen cubes all keep far longer than fresh. For Alphonso, we do not sell fresh fruit outside the season, but Alphonso pulp tins are available all year, from Rs 590 for the 850 g tin. See the Alphonso Mango Pulp Tin. Fresh Alphonso starts from Rs 1,849 per dozen when the season is on, and the largest Ratnagiri option goes up to Rs 5,399. Check the product page for the current price.
If you are sending fruit to someone in another city, our page on sending mangoes online explains what to think about. We dispatch by Blue Dart, and about 65% of Indian PIN codes get next-day delivery. Check your PIN code at checkout.
People also ask
Which fruits are in season in India in summer?
Summer, roughly March to June, is the season for mango, watermelon, muskmelon, lychee and jackfruit. Our Alphonso mango is harvested from about February to June, with the best supply from March to May. Exact timing varies by region and year, so check what your local market is selling.
What fruits are seasonal in winter in India?
Winter, roughly November to February, brings oranges and mandarins, guava and pomegranate in most places, along with winter berries from Mahabaleshwar and grapes in some regions. Apples from the hills are harvested in autumn. Months vary with region and the year's weather.
Why is seasonal fruit better?
Seasonal fruit is usually fresher because it has travelled a shorter distance, and the supply is plentiful, so prices are often lower. Many people also find it tastes better when picked in its natural months. It is a matter of freshness and taste rather than any medical claim.
When is mango season in India?
In India mango harvest and sale generally run from March to May, and some varieties extend later. Our Alphonso is harvested from about February to June, best from March to May. The 2027 season opens on 1 February 2027, and pulp tins are available all year.
How can I buy seasonal fruit online?
Look for a seller who names the variety and origin, states how the fruit is ripened and tells you when the season opens. We sell Alphonso mango from Ratnagiri and Devgad when the season is on. Check your PIN code at checkout, because delivery depends on your area.
Related searches
- Alphonso mango season
- Types of mangoes
- How many mango varieties in India
- Which mango is best
- How to ripen mangoes at home
- Why mango is called the king of fruits
- Buy Ratnagiri Alphonso mango
- Send mangoes online
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia, Mango.
- Wikipedia, Alphonso mango.
- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, Regulation 2.3.5 (compendium version of 2 April 2025).
Written by Prashant Powle, founder of AlphonsoMango.in. Last reviewed October 2026.