The mango is indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. During the 10 th century it was brought to East Africa and then to South America, the Middle East and Florida .
The mango tree is cultivated in all tropical and subtropical areas. There are literally hundreds of species but only a few can be marketed.
The mango tree can reach up to 25 to 30 metres in height. There are many shapes to a mango tree : pyramid, tapered, bushy topped and large crowned trees, depending on the variety.

The main varieties are:

• Kent : large oval shaped fruit with a yellow to orange juicy and tender flesh.
  
• Tommy Atkins : medium to large fruit, oval or oblong in shape. The flesh is firm with a fairly fibrous texture. Tommy Atkins have a golden to greenish skin with a crimson blush.
• Keitt : large, oval fruit with a very smooth melting flesh.
• Amelie : a medium rounded fruit with green/ orange skin. The smooth flesh is dark orange coloured, soft and fibreless; it has an excellent eating quality.

The main producers are :

• In Asia : India, Pakistan and Thailand;
• In Africa : Mali , Burkina Faso , Ivory Coast , Senegal , South Africa and Kenya ;
• In America : Brazil , Mexico and Peru ;

Mangoes are now available and marketed all year round.