India's Orange City: Nagpur's Lemon Heritage and Economic Power

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The winter capital of Maharashtra, Nagpur has long been known as the Orange City of India, a title based on its centuries-old citrus heritage and its status as the country’s largest center for the production, trade and distribution of oranges.

The title stems from the city’s dominance in the cultivation of the Nagpur mandarin orange, a variety recognized for its thin peel, bright color and high juice content.

The region’s distinctive black soil and climatic conditions have made it an ideal citrus belt, with large tracts of land devoted to orange cultivation in Nagpur, Warud, Savner, Katol, Narkhed, Kalmeshwar and neighboring districts. Nagpur orange also has the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, strengthening its identity as native to the region.

Historically, orange cultivation in the region is believed to have expanded during the era of the Bhonsle dynasty, when orchards around Nagpur began supplying the fruit to nearby kingdoms. By the end of the 19th century, the orangeries of Nagpur were well established throughout the trade routes across central India.

Today, the city remains a major hub in India’s citrus economy. Maharashtra remains one of the top mandarin producing states in the country, with Nagpur at the center of its supply chain. According to the Maharashtra State Agriculture Department, as of 2020, 40 lakh hectares of land was under orange cultivation in Nagpur district. The city has major wholesale markets, pack-houses and cold-storage facilities, where oranges are classified, sorted and sent to markets across the country.

India is also working to increase the global presence of Nagpur oranges. According to a Commerce Ministry release, in the recent season, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has facilitated export consignments to destinations like Dubai, as part of efforts to develop Nagpur district as an organized orange cluster.

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The city’s local processing capacity is also expanding. In September this year, the government granted a two-year extension for the completion of modern orange-processing centers in Vidarbha, with the aim of promoting value-added products and stabilizing farmers’ income, The Times of India reported.

Despite cyclical challenges such as unseasonal rains and post-harvest losses, industry officials say Nagpur’s citrus economy remains resilient. Strong domestic demand ensures that the bulk of the crop is absorbed in India, while gradual improvements in storage and logistics support higher realizations for growers.

With a blend of heritage, agricultural prowess and expanding trade networks, Nagpur’s identity as the Orange City remains firmly intact, a cultural and economic icon that defines the region.