Kesar mangoes are yet to enter the Indian markets, but two consignments have already been dispatched to the UK and US. According to sources in the market yard, two tons of the mangoes were exported to the UK and four tons were sent to the US, in the first consignment from Gujarat.
Officials in the market said that Talala APMC, which is the biggest exporting market for kesar mangoes said exports will increase threefold from last year, when exports were dispatched for only one month due to a European Union ban. This year, even before the Talala market yard begins trading, exports have started.
In 2015, only 200 tonnes of mangoes were exported. Secretary of APMC H H Jarsaniya said trading will begin on May 3 and will continue till May 30. Trading will peak at this time and one can expect prices to be around Rs 15-20 per kg. He said the crop, as expected, was not a bumper crop. And it is also not of the best quality.
Consumers may have to compromise on quality. The crop this year will be sweeter than in the past and hence the possibility of it spoiling soon is greater. He said the best quality produce will be put aside for export, while medium quality fruits will be sold in the Indian market. Jarsaniya said the retail price will depend mainly on supply, but in areas like Ahmedabad, the crop will sell for around Rs 30 per kg in the wholesale market. The scarce rains have also affected the quality of the fruit and has made it smaller than normal, experts said.
(1 Indian Rupee=0.015USD)
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
