Prolonged monsoon of last year and other climatic changes in the state Maharashtra have severely affected the production of Alphonso mangoes in the Konkan belt and moreover delayed the arrival of the fruit into the markets. As per reports, the flowering and fruit setting has been delayed, leading to almost 50-60 percent less in production compared to the last year.
Market Status of Alphonso mangoes
As per reports, Alphonso mangoes usually arrived in the markets by early February, but this year’s season is delayed by almost 60 days. Regular delivery of Alphonso mangoes is expected to resume only by March-end.
As per the report of BusinessLine, Sanjay Pansare, Director on Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC), Navi Mumbai, told that due to the shortage, the prices have spiked to ₹6,000- 9,000 per case (five dozen) in the wholesale market. In the comparable period last year, the prices were ₹3,000-6,000 per case, depending on quality, he said.
Mangoes in the wholesale markets are traded in cases or boxes, which hold five dozens of precious fruits.
As per reports, retailers are selling Alphonso mangoes at ₹2,500 per dozen in affluent areas of Mumbai. Due to the unique taste and flavor of the Alphonso mangoes, they fetch a premium in the market. The mangoes cultivated in the Devgad region of Konkan even have their own Geographical Indication (GI), Tag.
