Farmer Grows World's Most Expensive Mangoes, Selling at Rs 19,000 Each- What is the Secret?

Hiroyuki Nakagawa, a 62-year-old former petroleum company owner, has become known for his successful and innovative mango farming business in the snowy Tokachi region of Japan's northernmost island, Hokkaido. Despite initial skepticism, Nakagawa has managed to cultivate high-quality mangoes amid harsh winter weather, with temperatures often dropping to -8C outside.

Using natural resources that Hokkaido is famous for, namely snow and onsen hot springs, Nakagawa has developed a sustainable approach to mango farming. By using stored snow from winter months to cool his greenhouses in the summer, the fruit is tricked into delaying blooming. This means that the mangoes ripen during the cooler months, when there are fewer insects and a lower humidity climate, reducing the need for pesticides and mold-removing chemicals.

Nakagawa's unique process produces mango with higher sugar content, boasting a buttery smooth texture devoid of stringiness. The taste is said to be much sweeter than normal mangoes, and the novelty of the product has captured the attention of customers and retailers alike.

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Retailers such as Isetan and high-end retailers in Hong Kong have displayed and sold Nakagawa's mangoes, with one mango selling for almost $400. Nakagawa's clients include well-known restaurateurs, such as Asia's Best Female Chef 2022 Natsuko Shoji, who uses the fruit in her mango flower cakes.

Nakagawa's success with mango farming has prompted him to consider cultivating other tropical fruits in the Tokachi region during the winter months, with his sights set on peaches next. His ultimate goal is to turn Tokachi into a fruit production hub in the winter and give the local economy a boost.

Beyond just providing delicious fruit, Nakagawa's sustainable approach to farming has caught the attention of other businesses. Tea company Lupicia has approached him about using his leaves for mango tea, further expanding the potential uses for his farmaing methods.

Nakagawa's success in the face of challenging weather conditions and his sustainable approach to farming is a testament to his ingenuity and dedication. He has proven that even in the most unlikely of places, with the right resources and innovative thinking, it is possible to cultivate high-quality produce year-round.

-With inputs from Bloomberg

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