International Journal of
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Research Article Volume 9 Issue 4
Current situation and prospects of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) cultivation as an agribusiness in the Soconusco region, Chiapas, Mexico
Víctor Hugo Díaz-Fuentes, Isela Ramirez Aguilar, Gisela María Teresa Bravo Montes, Christian Neri Ozuna Estudillo
Received: October 13, 2025 | Published: November 3, 2025
Citation: Díaz-Fuentes VH, Aguilar IR, Montes GMTB, et al. Current situation and prospects of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) cultivation as an agribusiness in the Soconusco region, Chiapas, Mexico. Int J Hydro. 2025;9(4):140-146. DOI: 10.15406/ijh.2025.09.00413
Abstract
Mangosteen ( Garcinia mangostana L.) is a tropical fruit with high commercial value and growing international demand. Global projections estimate a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.6% to 5.1% between 2025 and 2032. In Mexico, 90% of the cultivated area is concentrated in the Soconusco region, Chiapas. This study aimed to analyze the current status and technical-economic sustainability of mangosteen cultivation as an agribusiness in this region. A non-probabilistic convenience sampling was applied, selecting key informants based on their strategic role in the value chain. Data collection included structured surveys with producers, semi-structured interviews with intermediaries and exporters, physical characterization of plantations, and review of international sources. Results show a significant expansion of mangosteen cultivation in the last two decades. Most plantations are in the productive stage, with average yields of 3.1 t/ha, comparable to Asian benchmarks. About 76% of the fruit meets export quality standards, with the United States as the main destination. The crop exhibits high profitability, with a benefit-cost ratio of 3.26 from year 9 and a return rate of 104% by year 14, exceeding the profitability reported for other economically important crops in the Soconusco region, such as coffee, cacao, and rambutan. However, challenges persist, including translucent pulp disorder, price fluctuations, and limited agro-industrial transformation. The current global context— marked by rising demand, proximity to the U.S. market, market segmentation, and bioeconomic potential—offers favorable conditions for structuring a territorially integrated agro-industrial cluster for mangosteen in the Soconusco region.
Keywords: Mangosteen agribusiness, Soconusco region, agro-industrial cluster
©2025 Díaz-Fuentes, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.