Fruit that ripens on the plant develops a fuller nutrient profile than fruit picked early to survive a long trip to market. That's one reason seasonal produce often tastes noticeably better — and it's not just imagination.
Buying seasonally also tends to be considerably cheaper, since supply is high and the fruit hasn't travelled far. A kilo of mango in peak season can cost a fraction of what it does months later.
Rotating through what's in season is also a simple way to get a wider range of vitamins over the year, rather than leaning on the same two or three fruits out of habit.
A quick rule of thumb: if a fruit is unusually expensive or looks slightly underripe with a waxy sheen, it's probably out of season and travelled a long way to reach the shelf.
