Last year’s prolonged monsoon and other climatic changes in Maharashtra have affected the Alphonso mangoes in the Konkan belt. The flowering and fruit setting has been delayed, leading to almost 50-60 per cent dip in production.
Alphonso mangoes usually hit major markets by early February, but this year’s season is delayed by almost 60 days. Regular delivery of Alphonso mangoes are expected to resume only by March-end.
Sanjay Pansare, Director on Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC), Navi Mumbai, told BusinessLine that due to the shortage, the prices have spiked to ₹6,000- 9,000 per case (five dozen) in the wholesale market. In the comparable period last year, the prices were ₹3,000-6,000 per case, depending on quality, he said.
A few retailers are selling them at ₹2,500 per dozen in affluent areas of Mumbai. Due to the unique taste and flavour of Alphonso mangoes, they fetch a premium in the market. The mangoes cultivated in Devgad region of Konkan even have their own Geographical Indication (GI) Tag. Former member of Maharashtra Horticulture Board and mango cultivator and expert Vivek Bhide said that usually in the Konkan region, 3,000 mm of rains are logged. But last year, they crossed 5,000 mm and also lasted till November. The winter temperatures also did not dip to the levels required for healthy flowering and fruit setting,
Growers from Maharashtra decide to file lawsuits
Alphonso growers from Maharashtra have decided to file lawsuits against those trying to pass off mangoes from other regions of the country as fruits of the same variety.
A Geographical Indication (GI) tag was granted to the Alphonso Mango from Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg and other adjoining areas. Growers said they would soon file lawsuits against those who sell mangoes from other regions of the country, including Karnataka, tagging them as Alphonso or Hapus.
