VIJAYAWADA: This summer, mango lovers will have to shell out more to relish the fruit as there is a 40 per cent drop in its production in the State in comparison to last year. The mango prices also have shot up drastically due to low yield of the crop.Banginapalli, Chinna Rasalu, Pedda Rasalu and a few other varieties of the fruit, which have already reached the market, are expensive this year. The price range of some of the available varieties of mangoes is between Rs 300-Rs 400 per dozen. Other varieties are yet to hit the market.
“This year the yield is comparatively less due to the lack of rain. There is a 50 per cent dip in the business and prices have doubled due to the demand. Market and weather conditions also influence the price,” E Rama Rao, a wholesale merchant of mangoes at Kedareswarapet market, says.The vendors here get their lot from Nunna Mango Market.
When contacted, the secretary of the Nunna Mango Market Growers’ Association, K Ramakrishna, says that Krishna district this year produced 15 lakh metric tonnes of mangoes as compared to 25 lakh metric tonnes of over 20 varieties of the fruit on an average during previous years. High temperatures also contributed to the decline in production.
A study conducted by the horticulture department stated that untimely rainfall and delay in flowering has adversely affected the production of mangoes and its quality at Nuzvid, Agiripalli and Reddy Gudem villages. These areas produce a major share of the fruit in the coastal part of the State.
Of all, Banginapalli, Suvarnarekha and Rasalu varieties are popular among buyers. Pariya and Collector mangoes (in raw form) are used in the preparation of traditional ‘avakai’ pickle. Banginapalli mangoes are sold at an exorbitant price of Rs 500 per dozen and between Rs 250 and Rs 300 per kg in the retail market.
Usually, Kobbari Mamidi reaches the market in the month of April, which is followed by Suvarnarekha, Cheruku Rasalu, Panduri Mamidi and other varieties.
Mangoes get expensive
Rs 300-Rs 400 Price range of Chinna Rasalu variety per dozen
Prices of the fruit have shot up drastically due to low yield of the crop
Krishna district produces around 25 lakh metric tonnes of mangoes of over 20 varieties every year, but this year the district produced only 15 lakh metric tonnes of the fruit