South African mangoes are facing a delayed season this year due to heavy, untimely rains, resulting in high costs and limited demand in the Indian market, says Vijay Varghese of fresh produce importer FruitCaddy Inc. "The season typically runs mid-October to January-February, but heavy rainfall and flooding in some areas have shifted this timeline by almost a month. Not everybody is harvesting mangoes, so purchase prices are quite high at USD 8.2 to 8.8 rand per 4 kg box."
According to Varghese, "Malawi mangoes remain unavailable for export this year, which makes South Africa one of the few permitted origins for imported mangoes in India, alongside Nepal. Varghese highlights that the imported mango market in India is niche. "Those who have seen and tasted red mangoes abroad make up the demand. Indians have grown up consuming many mango varieties, but these high-density orchard varieties with reddish skin are different."
© FruitCaddy Inc
Varghese highlights that sea shipments have faced past quality issues, limiting volumes to air imports. Currently importing Tommy Atkins for high-end hotels and retail, Varghese plans to bring in Shelly, Lady Jane, and Heidi varieties if market conditions improve. "Shelly mangoes could sell for USD 25.5 to 30 per 4 kg if air-shipped, but that's risky as Alphonso from Kerala and Kesar from Gujarat are already in early harvest at Rs 13.5 per 4 kg for top quality, and demand is low now as mangoes are seen as summer fruit."
Early fruit shows slight quality inconsistencies, which Varghese expects would improve as the season progresses: "Early harvests sometimes compromise on sorting, including damaged mangoes, as farmers chase better prices. But as the season progresses and prices fall, grading will get better. Quality will definitely improve with more favorable weather in the coming weeks."
© FruitCaddy Inc
Overall, Varghese emphasizes the Indian market's slow response to mango uptake in winter. "Competing with local varieties is tricky for these selective red-skinned imports. If market appetite exists for different varieties, we may continue sampling," Varghese concludes as he stays hopeful of quality gains offsetting higher costs post-rain.
For more information:
Vigin Varghese
FruitCaddy Inc
Tel: +91 99 46 972 353
Email: [email protected]
www.fruitcaddyinc.com
