This Gudi Padva -a festival that marks the new year for Hindus in Maharashtra - the wholesale markets in the state have been flooded with Hapus and Alphonso mangoes. These are trading at almost half the price compared to last year. The increase in the arrival of mango consignments from the Konkan coast has brought down prices of the popular fruit, traders say.
“Last year, Hapus from Devgad and other areas of Konkan had retailed in the wholesale markets at around Rs 1,500 - 2,000 a dozen. This year, the increased arrivals have pushed the prices down,” says Rohan Ursal, a commission agent operating out of the Gultekdi wholesale market in Pune. This year, Hapus from Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri districts is trading at Rs 800 - 1,000 a dozen in the wholesale markets.
This year, unusually high temperatures in February and the absence of winter have resulted in an earlier-than-usual mango harvest in the state. Farmers in the Konkan had complained of the soaring temperatures scorching the fruits and leading to fruit drops. This had led to speculation of an around 10-15 per cent dip in production. However, the remaining fruits ripened early, and subsequently, the markets were flooded with mangoes this early in the summer.
[ Rs 100 = €1.12 ]
Source: indianexpress.com