Malawi mangoes, nearly identical in taste and texture to Maharashtra's acclaimed Alphonso mangoes, created a sensation at the Vashi APMC fruit market in Navi Mumbai, India. The initial batch of 598 Malawi mango boxes sold out within minutes, fetching prices ranging from ₹4,500 to ₹5,500 per box at the wholesale yard. This unique mango variety is expected to grace the market from mid-November to mid-December, with more shipments anticipated in the near future.
Traditionally, the mango season in India spans from April to July, with the renowned Alphonso claiming the throne as the king of mangoes. However, even in the off-season, particularly in November-December, the demand for Alphonso remains high among Mumbai residents. The introduction of Malawi mangoes has successfully satisfied this yearning for Alphonso-like mangoes during the off-season reports www.hindustantimes.com
The Malawi mangoes, with their tender, rich, and creamy taste, are gaining popularity, attracting interest not only from ordinary consumers but also from celebrity clients. Retailers, including Anil Karhale from Crawford Market, reported selling Malawi mangoes to celebrities like Sachin Tendulkar and Amitabh Bachchan. These mangoes, sourced from East Africa, closely resemble Alphonso mangoes, featuring saffron-yellow flesh and a yellow skin with a red tinge and golden hue upon ripening.
The journey of Malawi mangoes to the Indian market began around thirteen years ago when producers in Malawi imported a few Alphonso mango sticks from Ratnagiri, grafting and planting them across a 26-acre farm. This initial effort has now expanded to cover 600 acres. The popularity of Malawi mangoes soared in 2018 when the first 40 tons arrived at the APMC market, priced at ₹1,500 per box. Despite facing challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, with only 15 tons reaching the market in 2020, Malawi mangoes have continued to capture attention and demand.
Malawi mangoes have strategically tapped into a season when Indian mangoes are not readily available, thus avoiding direct competition. The Alphonso mangoes from India typically arrive from January to June from various parts of South and the Konkan belt of Maharashtra. This year, the abundant crop yield is expected to bring more Malawi mangoes to the market in the coming days, with an estimated 75 tons expected to be available until December 20.
Sanjay Pansare, the importer of Malawi mangoes at the APMC market, emphasized that while the rates for Malawi mangoes may decrease as more produce becomes available, they are unlikely to drop significantly compared to Indian Alphonso mangoes. The demand for Malawi mangoes persists due to their striking similarity in taste to the renowned Alphonso variety, making them a sought-after choice for retailers who appreciate the different harvest windows of both countries. Additionally, the European standards met by Malawi mangoes, thanks to hot water treatment, contribute to their premium pricing in the market.