King of fruits - Mango will be pricey this time

Skyrocketing prices of mangoes have dashed the hope of the common man to celebrate Gudi Padva, the Hindu new year, by offering the fruit to God and tasting it for the first time in the season.

Prolonged winter season that delayed the blossoming of mango leading to late arrival of the fruit in the market and the advanced date of celebrating this festival this year has affected the demand-supply ratio.

Last year, Gudi Padva was celebrated on April 4. Considered as the most auspicious day and one of the three-and-a-half muhartas of the year, many Hindus offer mango as prasad to God on Gudi Padva. However, the short supply has shot the price of mangoes to Rs1,200-Rs1,800 per dozen in the retail market.

Nath Khaire, a wholesale trader in Market Yard said, “We received around 300 boxes of Alphonso variety containing 5-6 dozens in each box. Presently, only the stock from Ratnagiri is available in the market but some boxes from Tamil Nadu are e pected.”

Desai Bandu director and mango trader, Mandar Desai said, “Prolonged winter delaying mango production and the Hindu new year happening early have badly hit the supply-demand ration.

Presently, the best quality of mangoes are available at Rs1,800 per dozen in retail.”

The high price of the fruit have forced people to buy mango shrikhand, containing the fruit’s pieces, to offer as naivedya to God, Desai said.

Nath Khaire said, “The supply of mangoes would increase by two-fold from Sunday and around 600 to 700 boxes will be made available in the Market Yard. Post-April 15, the rates will be affordable for the common man."