Every autumn, the terraced hills of Nepal turn gold with citrus. On 12 April 2024 (30 Chaitra 2080 BS) the Council of Ministers recognised the orange as Nepal's national fruit, with the orange most people picture first being the sweet-sour suntala, or mandarin. This page explains what was decided, what is still unclear, and why this fruit fits the country so well.
What Was Officially Decided
- 2023Genebank submits its research on orange to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.
- 12 April 2024 (30 Chaitra 2080)Council of Ministers recognises orange as the national fruit.
- Announced the same dayMinister Rekha Sharma shares the decision at the press briefing after the cabinet meeting.
Source: Rising Nepal, "Orange declared as national fruit" (12 April 2024). The 2023 submission date comes from a secondary blog source and is not independently confirmed.
A Note on Naming: Suntala vs. Junar
| Nepali name | English | Scientific name |
|---|---|---|
| सुन्तला (Suntala) | Mandarin orange | Citrus reticulata |
| जुनार (Junar) | Sweet orange | Citrus sinensis |
| कागती (Kagati) | Lime | Citrus aurantiifolia |
| भोगटे (Bhogate) | Pomelo | Citrus maxima |
Source: Nepal Horticulture Society, "Development and Outlook of Citrus Industry in Nepal" (which calls suntala an indigenous fruit of Nepal); Kathmandu Post and Nepal Horticulture Society reports on Sindhuli sweet orange
Where It Grows
Citrus is a fruit of Nepal's mid-hills, where steep south-facing slopes, mild winters and good drainage suit the trees. Orchards are small family plots more often than large estates, which is why the harvest matters so much to rural households.
For exact area and production by province and district, use the latest Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development statistics. We do not repeat figures here because published numbers differ by year and source.
Season and Everyday Use
Mandarins ripen from autumn into winter, so the harvest arrives around Dashain and Tihar, when fruit is part of offerings and festival tables. Exact timing depends on altitude and variety. Oranges are eaten fresh or pressed for juice,.
✦ Did you know?
- As far as we could confirm, Nepal had no officially recognised national fruit before April 2024.
- The Nepal Horticulture Society describes the suntala as an indigenous fruit of Nepal.
- Citrus fruits are a well-known source of vitamin C, one reason oranges are popular in the cold season.
Why the Orange Fits
Geography. It thrives in the same mid-hill belt where most Nepalis live and farm. Livelihood. Citrus is a cash crop for many hill families. Culture. Its season matches the festival calendar. Identity. Unlike many imports, it is a fruit people associate directly with Nepali hill orchards.
Source: explanatory summary; the official reasons were not published in the sources we reviewed
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the national fruit of Nepal?
The Council of Ministers recognised the orange as Nepal's national fruit on 12 April 2024 (30 Chaitra 2080 BS). The fruit is widely discussed as the mandarin orange, the suntala.
When was the national fruit declared?
On 12 April 2024, announced by Government Spokesperson and Communications Minister Rekha Sharma after a cabinet meeting.
Is the national fruit suntala or junar?
News reports say only "orange". In Nepali usage suntala is the mandarin (Citrus reticulata) and junar is the sweet orange (Citrus sinensis). We have not seen the cabinet text, so we cannot say which species it names.
Did Nepal have a national fruit before 2024?
We could not find an earlier official designation, so 2024 appears to be the first.
Who proposed the orange?
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development presented the proposal, which followed research submitted by the National Agriculture Genetic Resources Center (Genebank).
Where is orange grown in Nepal?
Mainly in the mid-hills, with mandarin well known in the eastern hills and sweet orange (junar) associated with Sindhuli.
What is the scientific name of the suntala?
Citrus reticulata, the mandarin orange, in the family Rutaceae.