Mango is all set to be a rare fruit this season, thanks to prolonged winter. The extended period of cold has not only delayed the arrival of the king of fruits in the market but also cut short its season.
Mango is all set to be a rare fruit this season, thanks to prolonged winter. The extended period of cold has not only delayed the arrival of the king of fruits in the market but also cut short its season.
The mango season is late by almost a month and the full supply is expected only around mid-May instead of the usual mid-April. Adding to the woes of mango lovers is the possibility of its season being cut to just one month if monsoon is on time in the state.
The weather has affected both, supply and quality, of the fruit. According to agriculture produce market's data, on April 4 last year, 2,780 quintals of mango were supplied in the city. This has reduced to just 1,158 quintals on April 4, 2012. The figures show that only 40% mango is available this season.
"Good-quality mango is yet to arrive in the market. The quality available currently is very poor," said Shyamlal Rohra, president of Naroda Wholesale Fruit Market.
At present, different varieties of mango, namely Sundari, Payri, Badam, Gola, Totapuri and Alphonso, have arrived in market from southern states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu. However, the supply from Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra is yet to reach the market.
According to Rohra, the retreating south-west monsoon seasonal rain proves beneficial for the fruit in southern states like Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, helping it to grow. This year, however, it has failed as a result of which the fruit's quality and quantity have been affected, he added.
Generally, the king of fruits starts arriving in the market from mid-March in smaller quantity. The full-fledged mango supply, with all varieties including Ratnagiri Alphonso and Kesar from Valsad, Talala and other southern parts of Gujarat, commences from the first week of April and continues till the second week of June.
However, this year, prolonged winter has delayed the supply and full-fledged supply is expected only around May 15. If monsoon keeps its date with the state, the mongo season will be reduced to one month, added Rohra.
Gafur Kureshi, a mango farmer from Talala, confirmed that the season will be delayed by more than a month, but added that the Kesar variety may be of good quality and bigger size. He said that mango yield has been around 40-60% for the last three-four years due to climatic changes.
At present, wholesale mango price ranges from Rs20 to Rs50 per kg, while Ratnagiri Alphonso costs around Rs150-Rs200 per kg, said Balram Monani, owner of Sahajanand fruits centre. He added that the traders are not expecting much hike in mango price compared to last year.
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