A heatwave in Perlis, Malaysia is concerning growers who cultivate Harumanis mango, one of the most expensive varieties in the world. The fruits, which are sold at RM80 to RM100 per kg in Taiwan and Japan, are fruiting sporadically and threatening to make its price soar even higher this year.
“Trees of the same species are supposed to flower as one, but this year, my trees are flowering months apart,” said Harumanis orchardist Zaitun Yahaya, 61.
While maturing mangoes wrapped in paper dangled from some of her trees, many others bore only wilted flowers or were just beginning to bloom.
“By now, I should have large clumps of fruits on every tree but now the trees seem to be flowering only when they feel like it.”
Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development (Mardi) Perlis director Bookheri Md Ludin said the messed-up fruiting season meant farmers would have to work harder and the yield would be smaller this year.
“The delayed harvesting is going to cause a spike in the price. We have to be fair to the farmers,” he said.
The Harumanis mango retails in Malaysia at between RM30 and RM40 per kg.
Othman said the price would go up this year when the fruits were harvested next month but could not hazard a guess as to how much.
To see a video of the orchards, please click here.
(1 Malaysian Ringgit= 0.25 USD)
Source: thestar.com.my
