Mango & Litchi: The kings of summer fruits (photos)

KATHMANDU: With the rise in summer temperatures, Kathmandu’s main fruit wholesale hub, the Kuleshwar Market, has come alive with intense trading activity as seasonal fruits flood the stalls.

Mangoes—widely regarded as the king of summer fruits—alongside juicy red litchis, are currently being displayed in abundance across roadside stalls, storage units, and wholesale shops in the bustling market area.

From early morning, cargo trucks arriving from various parts of the country and neighboring regions have kept the market highly active.

Mangoes sourced from orchards in Siraha, Saptari, Sarlahi, and Morang are being carefully packed in sturdy wooden crates lined with newspapers, a traditional method used to aid natural ripening during transport.

Inside storage units in Kuleshwor, young workers can be seen tirelessly arranging unripe mangoes inside crates, wrapping them in newspapers, and tightly securing them with metal wires.

According to workers, the fruit gradually ripens during transit due to the warmth inside the crates and moisture from the newspapers, becoming yellow and ready to eat upon arrival in Kathmandu.

Alongside mangoes, fresh litchis are also being neatly arranged in attractive crates and sold in bulk by wholesalers.

Consumers from distant areas are arriving on motorcycles and scooters, purchasing crates of both raw and ripened mangoes to take home.

Traders expect significant turnover this season, driven by strong demand for mangoes and litchis, which are also seen as refreshing relief from the heat.

The seasonal boom has also created short-term employment opportunities for hundreds of local youths and teenagers.

In the narrow lanes of Kuleshwar, the smiling faces of young workers sorting mangoes reflect a lively human story within the market’s intense activity.