Mangosteen and durian crops have been affected by the severe drought in Kerala this year. The dry weather caused the tender fruit to drop from the trees and untimely summer showers exacerbated the problem. There is now an estimated drop of 30-40 percent in mangosteen production, T Thomas, a botanist and professor told BusinessLine.
Trade estimates have put this year’s production at around 400 tonnes.
At the same time, Thomas said, increasing demand every year, specially from the towns and cities, has prompted several farmers in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to take up planting of the ‘Queen of the fruit’, mangosteen.
Some farmers cultivating rubber in the low lying areas of southern Kerala have shifted to mangosteen as such land is suitable for its cultivation, adds Thomas.
Durian down
He said the Durian fruit could not withstand the hot weather and all the tender fruits have fallen down, resulting in a 100 per cent loss.
He said consumers may have to pay higher prices because of the short supply and the benefit of higher prices would go to intermediaries through whom the trade takes place.
The main markets are Chennai, Bangalore and Mumbai and traders in Kerala are catering to the demand in these metros, he said. Initially, the price will be at around ₹400 a kg, and as availability increases it may drop to ₹150 a kg.
(1 Indian Rupee=0.015USD)
Source: thehindubusinessline.com