A wide variety of fruits—both common and exotic—continue to be imported into Telangana from other Indian states and abroad. These include apples, guavas, oranges, pomegranates, strawberries, grapes, kiwis, avocados, and dragon fruits. Apples, dragon fruits, and avocados are among the most imported, though local cultivation of dragon fruit and avocado is now increasing due to farmer innovation.
Apples are primarily imported from Afghanistan and South Africa; avocados come from Mexico, Sri Lanka, Kenya, and Tanzania. Dragon fruit, once mostly sourced from Vietnam, is now being widely grown in Telangana. Other fruit imports include Thai guavas, oranges from Egypt and Brazil, pomegranates from Iran and Afghanistan, and kiwis from New Zealand, Greece, Chile, and Iran.
Local farmers are actively reducing import dependence. Bandari Venugopal Rao from Jagital started cultivating red and pink dragon fruit in 2023, selling 4 tons at $1.56 per kg. He expects to harvest 10 tons this year and highlighted the importance of water management to avoid fungal infections.
Avocado farming is also gaining traction. Around 30–40 farmers are involved, supported by Deccan Exotics, a farmer-producer organisation. Director Dr. Srinivas Rao Madhavaram noted that they've worked for over six years on avocado varieties sourced from Israel, South Africa, and California. The crop is being promoted for its culinary, cosmetic, and health value.
Scientists at the Fruit Research Station (FRS) in Sangareddy are studying green and purple avocado types. The green variety suits Telangana's climate, while the premium purple type needs cooler conditions. Avocados bear fruit in about three years. FRS is also studying passion fruit, which requires minimal water and bears fruit within a year, though public awareness remains low.
Deccan Exotics is trialling Longan, a tropical fruit similar to litchi, on half an acre. It tolerates high heat (up to 45°C) but is vulnerable to climate shifts. Rao is also cultivating Japanese guava and plans to add Thai coconuts and avocados.
In Polepally village, farmer Lokasani Padma Reddy is growing Brazil orange, a seedless tissue culture variety that yields from the third year. He sold fruit last year at $1.20 per kg.
On the import side, apples and dragon fruit remain top imports. At the Batasingaram market, importer M. Prasad reports that South African pears cost $14.46–$15.66 per box, while apples bought at $8.15 are sold for $15.29. Bharath Misra imports green and gold kiwi from multiple countries and sells them for around $26.40 per box.
Horticulture officials note that while imports remain steady, local fruit production is expanding, offering new opportunities and potential to reduce future import reliance.
Source: Deccan Chronicle