Indian merchants struggle to cope with mango demand

Fruit merchants in Karnataka are struggling to cope with the growing demand for mangoes cultivated i…

Fruit merchants in Karnataka are struggling to cope with the growing demand for mangoes cultivated in Mysuru, which are processed into beverages. But the farmers are having a field day as they can command nearly Rs. 26,000 per tonne, up from the prices last year

Babu, a major wholesale dealer who procures the fruit directly from farmers and sells it to industries, told The Hindu that the demand will last for 45 days to two months and nearly 50 truckloads of mangoes are exported from Mysuru daily.

The first truckload left the city on Wednesday 4 May, marking the beginning of the export season this year.

However, there are concerns that mango production may decline this year due to failure of pre-monsoon showers and prolonged dry spells and it may be difficult to ensure steady supply to the food processing units.

But the decline in supply coupled with increase in demand has only benefitted the farmers who command nearly Rs. 26,000 per tonne in the current season as against last year’s price which hovered anywhere between Rs.16,000 to Rs. 20,000, according to the fruit merchants’ association.

Though there are different varieties of mangoes like Raspuri, Totapuri etc, it is the Alphonso variety, also called Badam in local parlance, that is in demand from the beverage industry.

Basavaraju, Deputy Director of Horticulture in Mysuru, said nearly 4,142 hectares of land has been brought under mango cultivation this year and popular varieties that are cultivated in the region also include Malgoa and Mallika.

But a majority of the cultivators in the region prefer Badam or Alphonso variety in view of the sweet taste, rich pulp and thus commands a high rate in the market.