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Mandarin Orange (Suntala) — Official National Fruit of Nepal declared April 2024
ЁЯНК Official National Symbol · April 2024

National Fruit of Nepal:
Mandarin Orange (Suntala)

Officially declared by the Government of Nepal on рдЪैрдд्рд░ рейреж, реирежреореж (April 12, 2024 ) — the first and only national fruit in Nepal's history. Grown across 42 districts, supporting 700,000+ farmers.

ЁЯМ┐ Citrus reticulata ЁЯУЕ Declared: 12 April 2024 ( рдЪैрдд्рд░ рейреж, реирежреореж ) ЁЯПФ️ 1,000–1,500m altitude ЁЯТ░ Rs 30.6 Billion/year
Quick Answer

What is the National Fruit of Nepal?

The national fruit of Nepal is the Mandarin Orange — locally known as Suntala (also called Junar). It was officially declared by Nepal's Council of Ministers on April 12, 2024 (Chaitra 30, 2080 BS). Nepal had no official national fruit before this date. The orange was chosen for its widespread cultivation across 42 districts, its vital role in supporting over 700,000 farming families, and its unique growth at altitudes of 1,000–1,500m in Nepal's Himalayan mid-hills.

Fruit: Mandarin Orange Nepali Name: Suntala / Junar Scientific: Citrus reticulata Declared: April 12, 2024 By: Council of Ministers Top Province: Gandaki
ЁЯСи‍ЁЯМ╛
700,000+
Farming households supported
ЁЯТ░
Rs 30.6B
Annual industry turnover
ЁЯЧ║️
42
Suitable districts in Nepal
ЁЯМ╛
27,892 ha
Under orange cultivation
ЁЯУж
211,779 MT
Annual production (2024/25)
ЁЯУЕ
2024
Year of official declaration

The Official Declaration: A New Symbol for Nepal

Suntala Orange — National Fruit of Nepal, Mandarin Orange growing in Nepal's mid-hills

Why the Mandarin Orange Was Chosen

  • Thrives uniquely in Nepal's mid-hills at 1,000–1,500m altitude
  • Cultivated across 42 of 77 districts nationwide
  • Supports 700,000+ farmer livelihoods directly or indirectly
  • Generates Rs 30.6 billion annually for the national economy
  • Rich in Vitamin C — 100%+ daily requirement per fruit
  • Deep cultural role in festivals, hospitality, and winter diet
  • Nepal exports to India, Bangladesh, and Gulf markets
  • First ever officially declared national fruit in Nepal's history

Timeline: How the Orange Became Nepal's National Fruit

Before April 2024
No Official National Fruit
Nepal had no officially designated national fruit. Mango and lapsi were sometimes cited informally but neither held any government recognition.
2023 — Proposal Stage
National Genebank Research Begins
The National Agriculture Genetic Resources Center Genebank submitted a formal proposal to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development to declare a national fruit.
April 12, 2024 — Chaitra 30, 2080 BS
ЁЯНК Official Declaration by Council of Ministers
The Cabinet officially declared the Mandarin Orange (Suntala) as Nepal's national fruit. Minister for Communication Rekha Sharma made the announcement publicly. A historic first for Nepal.
2024–2025 — Post Declaration
National Branding & Agro-Tourism Expansion
Tanahun district recorded Rs 425 million in orange sales. Syangja reached Rs 1.12 billion. Agro-tourism programs launched in Myagde, Devghat, and Shuklagandaki. Exports with "National Fruit" branding began commanding premium prices.

5 Reasons Suntala Earned the Title

ЁЯПФ️

Unique Geography

The Mandarin Orange thrives exclusively at Nepal's mid-hill altitude of 1,000–1,500m — a climate zone unique to the Himalayan foothills. No other fruit represents this geography so precisely.

ЁЯТ░

Economic Powerhouse

With Rs 30.6 billion in annual turnover and 700,000+ farming households depending on it, the orange is Nepal's single most economically significant cultivated fruit.

ЁЯТК

Nutritional Champion

One Suntala provides over 100% of the daily Vitamin C requirement. In rural hill communities with limited healthcare access, it is a critical seasonal health staple.

ЁЯОЙ

Cultural Heritage

Suntala is woven into Nepali winter culture — offered in festivals, gifted as hospitality, and piled in vibrant pyramids at every market from October to January.

ЁЯМН

Export Identity

National fruit status gives Nepali oranges a powerful brand label for export to India, Bangladesh, and Gulf markets — helping smallholder farmers access premium international prices.

ЁЯФм

Science-Backed Selection

The decision was backed by research from Nepal's National Agriculture Genetic Resources Center Genebank — making it one of the most formally documented national symbol declarations.

Orange Production by Province (2024/25)

Source: Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock Development (MoALD) Preliminary Reports 2024/25.

Province Area (ha) Production (MT) Yield (MT/ha) Key Districts
Koshi5,61264,82411.55Dhankuta, Bhojpur, Ilam
Madhesh2851,8546.50Sarlahi, Dhanusa
Bagmati2,84526,5109.32Dhading, Kavre
ЁЯПЖ Gandaki5,70366,57811.67Syangja, Tanahun, Gorkha
Lumbini2,41527,65211.45Gulmi, Palpa
Karnali1,48016,23510.97Dailekh, Salyan
Sudurpashchim8608,1269.45Doti, Dadeldhura
TOTAL NEPAL19,200211,77911.0342 districts

Top Orange-Producing Districts

ЁЯеЗ Syangja — Rs 1.12B ЁЯеИ Tanahun — Rs 425M+ ЁЯеЙ Dhankuta — Rs 350M Gulmi Ilam Gorkha Kaski Parbat Bhojpur Sindhuli Ramechhap Dailekh Palpa Myagde Devghat

Health Benefits of Suntala Orange

ЁЯНК
100%+
Daily Vitamin C per fruit
ЁЯТз
85%+
Water content — top hydration
❤️
High
Flavonoids for heart health
ЁЯЫб️
Strong
Immunity boost — winter essential

ЁЯЗ│ЁЯЗ╡ рдиेрдкाрд▓рдХो рд░ाрд╖्рдЯ्рд░िрдп рдлрд▓ — рд╕ुрди्рддрд▓ा (рдЬुрдиाрд░)

рдШोрд╖рдгा рдоिрддि: рдЪैрдд्рд░ рейреж, реирежреореж (рдЕрдк्рд░िрд▓ резреи, реирежреирек)
рд╕्рдеाрдиीрдп рдиाрдо: рд╕ुрди्рддрд▓ा / рдЬुрдиाрд░
рд╡ैрдЬ्рдЮाрдиिрдХ рдиाрдо: Citrus reticulata
рдоुрдЦ्рдп рдЙрдд्рдкाрджрди: рдордз्рдпрдкрд╣ाрдбी рднेрдЧ (рез,режрежреж–рез,релрежреж рдоि.)
рдЙрдд्рдкाрджрди рдЬिрд▓्рд▓ा: рекреи рдЬिрд▓्рд▓ा
рдХिрд╕ाрди рдкрд░िрд╡ाрд░: рен рд▓ाрдЦрднрди्рджा рдмрдвी
рд╡ाрд░्рд╖िрдХ рдХाрд░ोрдмाрд░: рд░ु. рейреж.рем рдЕрд░्рдм
рдоुрдЦ्рдп рдЬिрд▓्рд▓ा: рд╕्рдпाрдЩ्рдЬा, рддрдирд╣ुँ, рдзрдирдХुрдЯा

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the national fruit of Nepal?
The national fruit of Nepal is the Mandarin Orange, locally known as Suntala or Junar (scientific name: Citrus reticulata). It was officially declared on April 12, 2024 by the Government of Nepal's Council of Ministers — making it the first and only officially designated national fruit in Nepal's history.
When was orange declared the national fruit of Nepal?
The orange was officially declared Nepal's national fruit on April 12, 2024 (Chaitra 30, 2080 BS) by the Council of Ministers, based on a proposal from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. Minister Rekha Sharma made the public announcement.
What was the national fruit of Nepal before 2024?
Nepal had no officially declared national fruit before April 2024. The Mandarin Orange (Suntala) is the first official national fruit in Nepal's history. Previously, mango and lapsi were sometimes informally mentioned but neither had any government recognition.
Why was the orange chosen as Nepal's national fruit?
Orange was chosen because: (1) it is cultivated across 42 districts of Nepal, (2) it supports 700,000+ farming households, (3) it generates Rs 30.6 billion in annual turnover, (4) it grows uniquely in Nepal's mid-hills at 1,000–1,500m altitude, (5) it provides over 100% daily Vitamin C, and (6) it holds deep cultural importance in Nepali festivals and hospitality traditions.
What is the national fruit of Nepal in Nepali language?
In Nepali, the national fruit of Nepal is called рд╕ुрди्рддрд▓ा (Suntala) or рдЬुрдиाрд░ (Junar). The full phrase is: рдиेрдкाрд▓рдХो рд░ाрд╖्рдЯ्рд░िрдп рдлрд▓ рд╕ुрди्рддрд▓ा рд╣ो (Nepal ko Rastriya Phal Suntala ho).
Which province produces the most oranges in Nepal?
Gandaki Province is Nepal's top orange-producing province with 5,703 hectares and 66,578 MT production. Syangja district leads nationally at Rs 1.12 billion annually, followed by Tanahun (Rs 425M+) and Dhankuta (Rs 350M).
Can tourists visit orange farms in Nepal?
Yes. Agro-tourism is growing in Nepal's orange-growing regions, especially Syangja, Tanahun, Kaski, Myagde, Devghat, and Shuklagandaki. The best time to visit is October to January (harvest season). Visitors can tour working orchards, pick fresh Suntala, and purchase at farm-gate prices 20–30% lower than Kathmandu retail.
ЁЯНК

Explore More About Nepal's National Fruit

Dive deeper into the health benefits, harvest seasons, cultivation techniques, and the cultural story of Suntala — Nepal's golden citrus treasure.

Homepage National fruit of Nepal

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