The smell of ripened mangoes makes the passers by take notice of the ‘mango mundy’ at Vellore, a famous destination for fruits, especially mangoes. Loads starts arriving after midnight. Business starts early in the morning and goes on till noon.
The traders get a variety of mangoes such as ‘Banganapalli’, ‘Kalapad’, ‘Alphonsa’, ‘Senthura’, ‘Imampasand’ and ‘Badami’ from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka and its now season for ‘Bengalura’.
‘Malgova’ from Salem and Krishnagiri region is other variety available at the mundy.
ADVERTISEMENT
Traders say mango varieties started arriving after May in the Vellore market but slowed down during the third and fourth week. However, supply, mainly from Andhra Pradesh will continue till mid-June, traders say.
Traders term the arrival of mangoes this year as moderate as the weather was not conducive.
“In earlier days, we used to get 100 to 150 tonnes of fruit per day. Now we get only 60 tonnes. We class them as average arrival, which has its full demand among wholesalers and retailers,” says Mahesh M., a vendor at the Vellore Mango Market Vendors Association.
ADVERTISEMENT
Supply points
“The supply comes from various areas such as Chittoor, Avalgunda, Nagari and Puthur. Some fruits come from areas within Vellore district such as villages in and around Latheri, Kaniyambadi, Vallimalai and Ponnai,” he said.
Bengalura’ and ‘Neelam’ varieties are also arriving.
With climactic changes affecting the yields, the prices vary.
It tends to affect commission agents, wholesalers and retailers too.
Traders said a good rainfall this year-end would ensure a better yield next year.