🍊 Official National Symbol · April 2024
National Fruit of Nepal:
Mandarin Orange (Suntala)
Officially declared by the Government of Nepal on चैत्र ३०, २०८० (April 12, 2024 ) — the first and only national fruit in Nepal's history. Grown across 42 districts, supporting 700,000+ farmers.
🌿 Citrus reticulata
📅 Declared: 12 April 2024 ( चैत्र ३०, २०८० )
🏔️ 1,000–1,500m altitude
💰 Rs 30.6 Billion/year
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
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
🍊 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.
🏔️
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.
💰
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.
💊
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.
🎉
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.
🌍
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.
🔬
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.
Source: Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock Development (MoALD) Preliminary Reports 2024/25.
🇳🇵 नेपालको राष्ट्रिय फल — सुन्तला (जुनार)
घोषणा मिति: चैत्र ३०, २०८० (अप्रिल १२, २०२४)
स्थानीय नाम: सुन्तला / जुनार
वैज्ञानिक नाम: Citrus reticulata
मुख्य उत्पादन: मध्यपहाडी भेग (१,०००–१,५०० मि.)
उत्पादन जिल्ला: ४२ जिल्ला
किसान परिवार: ७ लाखभन्दा बढी
वार्षिक कारोबार: रु. ३०.६ अर्ब
मुख्य जिल्ला: स्याङ्जा, तनहुँ, धनकुटा
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 सुन्तला (Suntala) or जुनार (Junar). The full phrase is: नेपालको राष्ट्रिय फल सुन्तला हो (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.
