Mangosteen bears fruits in a
biennial cycle and even with minimal or no input, a mangosteen tree can
produce 500 to 800 fruits during an ‘in year’ and 100 fruits during an ‘offyear’.
However, when provided with a high amount of fertilizer and adequate
pruning and irrigation, a tree can bear fruit twice a year and annual fruit yield
can be as much as 2,000-3,000 fruits per tree. Mangosteen pulp contains high
amounts of energy and vitamins and minerals including calcium, phosphorus,
iron, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and ascorbic acid. Thus, it can greatly
improve food quality of low-income rural households especially children.