The king of fruits has arrived in the city albeit in small quantities, and the prices are expected to be higher than what it was last year.
Much of the consignment, vendors at K.R. Market pointed out, was coming from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh as mangoes grown in Ramanagaram and Kolar, two major mango growing districts, have been damaged due to inclement weather.
Syed Zameer of Bharath fruits said in the past fortnight K.R. Market has been receiving 15 to 20 tonnes of mangoes each day.He said depending on the variety, the price ranges between Rs. 60 and Rs. 180 per kg in the city. Traders expect the price to drop by 50 per cent over the next few weeks as larger quantities of the fruit are expected to arrive. While, Raspuri, Sendura, Totapuri and Mallika varieties of mangoes are already in the market, Alphonso, Malgova and Neelam are expected to arrive after April.
Commenting on the sales, a vendor at K.R. Market said he was disappointed as the initial excitement of the commencement of the mango season is yet to be seen in customers. Although he procured over two quintals of mangoes hoping to encash on the customer’s initial excitement, he was able to sell just about 20 kg a day.
“Most customers are buying mangoes in small quantities, and they may buy in large quantities in in April,” he said.
Ramesh S., a customer at the market, said he would wait for another month for the prices of the mangoes to fall.
Major crop lossMeanwhile, horticulture experts said the season has turned out to be an “off year” one in the State although they had expected it to be an “on-year” one. At the time of flowering, experts had estimated the State’s production to be around one million tonnes. However, the prevailing dry weather, low soil moisture and mango hopper epidemic had damaged the crop . Experts expect production of just 3 to 4 lakh tonnes of mangoes in the State this season.
The former Additional Director of Horticulture (Fruits) S.V. Hittalmani, , said that 60 per cent of the total crop in Ramanagaram had been damaged and poor quality mangoes may come into the market.
“However, not all mangoes will be of bad quality. Those farmers who have taken care of their produce will have good quality fruit to offer,” he added.
Mr. Hittalmani said customers can expect a 30 per cent hike in price compared to last year’s, and he attributed it to low yield.Horticulture Department officials estimate the price of mangoes to fall after April 15. They expect that Raspuri will cost anywhere between Rs. 30 and Rs. 40 a kg and Badami between Rs. 70 and Rs. 100.
