The King of the Konkan – the Alphonso mango – is back in Europe after the European Union (EU) lifted the one-year ban on the fruit. The United Kingdom (UK) and New Zealand remain major importers of the fruit
Following the lift of the European Union (EU) ban on Indian mangoes earlier this year, exporters are all set for business with the onset of mango season.Sanjay Pansare, director at the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC), told dna that the organisation is now exporting three tonnes of Alphonso (haapus) mangoes to Europe.
"The ban was imposed when flies were detected. That damaged business, and farmers were unable to get good prices for their produce. Most Indians abroad buy the Alphonso.
The Gulf is a major importer," he said.Pansare said the best lots sell for Rs400-800 a dozen. "There is a short supply and rates are high, as hail storms and unseasonal rainfall destroyed mango orchards, particularly in Konkan. The supply will dry up by May, so those who love haapus should start eating it now itself," he added.Europe had imposed a ban on Indian mangoes last year after fruit flies were found in some consignments.
Dinesh Patil, a farmer from Konkan, said that Konkan mangoes are fruit fly-free. "We grow mangoes in a healthy atmosphere and don't use excessive pesticides and chemicals. There are also no other vegetable or pesticide-absorbing crops grown near mango orchards. Therefore, the quality of Konkan mangoes is better than those in other regions," said Patil, adding that the image of the Alphonso got sullied because exporters mix other mango types with Konkan mangoes.
Navi Mumbai resident Sanjay Kamble told dna he had not yet had any mangoes this year.
"The prices are high and the quality is not. Besides, vendors have not even started selling the fruit. We have to either go to the main market or APMC to buy them," he said.
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