Longan Season in Mauritius: A Sweet Treasure Threatened by the Skies

Every summer in Mauritius, the longan quietly reappears. Small, round, and sweet, it may not be a spectacular fruit, but it represents a deeply rooted tradition. As a seasonal fruit, it embodies sharing and memories, remaining a strong symbol of collective memory and Mauritian family courtyards.

According to figures from the Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (FAREI), Mauritius produces about 80 tons of longans per year. This is a modest agricultural output but significant culturally. Here, the longan is not a mass-plantation fruit. It mostly grows in home gardens, behind fences, near verandas, and in family gardens. Each tree is almost a family story.

However, this year, the season is different. The rain, which is ever-present, is a cause for concern.

A Fruit Closely Tied to Mauritius

Often compared to lychee for its shape and flesh, the longan occupies a unique place in the hearts of Mauritians. Smaller, more delicate, and especially sweeter when grown locally, it is affectionately referred to as "Longane Maurice" by some, as an unofficial designation, almost like a label.

At the markets, it appears without fanfare. There are no major promotional campaigns or sophisticated packaging. It is sold in small bunches, sometimes still attached to leaves, proving its freshness. It is eaten fresh, shared among family, offered to neighbors, and given to children climbing trees.

Unlike other tropical fruits, the longan has never been at the center of an ambitious agricultural policy in Mauritius. This is because there are no large commercial longan farms. Production relies almost entirely on scattered trees across the island.

80 Tons Per Year... But No Fields in Sight

FAREI’s data is clear: approximately 80 tons of longans are produced each year in Mauritius. This may seem like a respectable figure, but it conceals a very particular reality.

Unlike sugar cane, pineapple, or even lychee, the longan is not grown in industrial orchards. It grows where it always has: in home courtyards, on family lands, sometimes planted by a grandparent decades ago.

These trees are rarely maintained professionally. They produce fruit according to the whims of the climate, rain, and sunshine. Some years are bountiful; others, much less so. Yet, the Mauritian longan maintains a solid reputation: very sweet flesh, an intense flavor, much more pronounced than that of imported longans.

The Taste of the Land, Without a Label

In Mauritius, no one talks about "terroir" when it comes to longans. Yet, everything is present: the soil, the climate, the exposure, the empirical know-how passed down through generations.

"Our longan is sweeter here," is a common saying in markets. An assertion consumers repeat without hesitation. And rightly so: locally grown longans ripen slowly, generally without chemical treatment, nourished by rich soil and a stable tropical climate... at least under normal conditions. But this year, climatic stability is lacking.

Rain, the Longan Tree’s Greatest Enemy

The longan tree is robust but capricious. While it enjoys warmth, it does not tolerate excess moisture, especially during flowering and fruit maturation.

Excessive rain can lead to:

• premature flower drop,
• poor fruit set,
• less sweet fruits,
• or even fungal diseases.

This season, the rains have been more frequent than normal, disrupting the fruit's natural cycle. For trees isolated in courtyards, the impact remains limited. But for those who have made the bold choice of larger-scale cultivation, the concern is very real.

Krishna Mdhin Bhageeruth, the Exception That Confirms the Rule

In Mauritius, there are only a handful of longan growers. Among them, Krishna Mdhin Bhageeruth stands out as a discreet pioneer. Where most settle for one or two trees for family consumption, he has made a rare bet: to cultivate longan trees in a structured way. On his land, he maintains about a hundred longan trees, a number almost unheard of in Mauritius.

Each year, he hopes for a production of about 10 tons of longans. This volume is modest compared to large crops but considerable for such a little exploited fruit commercially. "Longan is not an easy crop. It requires patience, observation, and above all, accepting that nature decides," he confides.

A Year Under Close Surveillance

This season, Krishna Mdhin Bhageeruth is watching the sky more than his trees. The repeated rains worry him. Because he knows: the longan does not like excessive rain. He explains: "Too much rain can ruin everything. Flowers fall, fruits become watery and less sweet. And sometimes, we lose part of the harvest."

For a grower who aims for an annual production of 10 tons, every climate disturbance poses economic risks. Unlike large subsidized or insured crops, the longan remains a marginal production without a safety net.

A Passionate Culture More Than a Profitable One

So why persist in cultivating such an uncertain fruit? For Krishna Mdhin Bhageeruth, the answer is simple: passion. "The longan is part of our culture. It’s a fruit that Mauritians love and look forward to every year," he says. He is aware that the market is limited, that demand is seasonal, and that prices fluctuate. But he believes in the potential of the Mauritian longan, its quality, and its unique taste.

Beyond the figures, the longan season tells something deeper about Mauritius. It reveals an agriculture still closely tied to the family sphere, to transmission, to attachment to the land. The longan tree planted in a courtyard is not just a fruit tree. It is often a legacy, a childhood memory, a reason for sharing.

Children climb to pick the bunches. Neighbors exchange fruits. Bags circulate from house to house.

Why Has the Longan Never Been Industrialized?

The question deserves to be asked: why, despite its popularity, has the longan never been cultivated on a large scale in Mauritius? Several reasons explain this reality:

• irregular yield,
• strong climate dependency,
• a short season,
• limited shelf life,
• and a market that is primarily local.

Adding to this is a cultural factor: the longan is seen as a "home fruit," not as a mass distribution product.

FAREI and the Ground Reality

According to FAREI, annual longan production in Mauritius remains stable at around 80 tons, with no real prospect for significant short-term increases. The institute acknowledges the absence of large plantations and emphasizes the dispersed nature of the cultivation.

Trials have been conducted, studies carried out, but the longan remains a marginal fruit in national agricultural policies.

A Season Anticipated, Despite Everything

Despite concerns about the rain, the longan season is still highly anticipated. At the markets, consumers keenly watch for the first bunches to arrive. Conversations abound: "Is it sweet?", "Is it good this year?" Each season is different. Each tree tells a different story. For Krishna Mdhin Bhageeruth, hope remains: "As long as the trees produce, we continue."

As Mauritian agriculture evolves, where land pressure increases, and dietary habits change, the longan remains a symbol of gentle resistance. It does not seek to conquer the world. It simply exists, every summer, in courtyards, in markets, and in the sticky hands of children.

This year, more than ever, the quality of longans will depend on the skies. Too much rain, and the legendary sweetness could fade. A fragile balance, as is often the case in agriculture. But in Mauritius, patience is a virtue. We know how to savor what is rare. And the longan, rain or shine, remains a fruit deeply rooted in the soul of the island.

Longan in Mauritius

• Annual production: approximately 80 tons
• Source: FAREI
• Type of cultivation: mainly trees in courtyards
• Notable grower: Krishna Mdhin Bhageeruth
• Number of longan trees: ~100
• Estimated production: 10 tons/year
• Main risk: excessive rains