Mangoes prices set to hit all-time high
Hyderabad, April 18 (INN): It is bad news for mango-lovers if indications by traders are to be believed. Mangoes, considered the King of Fruits, will be out of the reach of the common man this year as prices are expected to hit an all-time high.
The main contributors to the expectedly high prices of the fruit are believed to be the recent unexpected showers and heavy gales which destroyed the crops across the state, resulting in acute shortage in supply.
'Compared to last year, this time around, there is around 40 per cent decrease in the supply of the fruits. Last year, by this time between 700 to 800 truckloads of raw mangoes had arrived at the fruit markets.
Unfortunately, this time around, only 100 to 150 trucks have been unloaded here. This is because of unseasonal rain and heavy gales which left the crop badly damaged across the states,' said Md Imtiyaz, one of the traders at Kothapet fruit market.
Imtiyaz further said that, 'As a result, raw mangoes are priced between Rs 25 to Rs 30 per kg in the wholesale market. The cheapest lot, of the most inferior quality is priced at Rs 15 per kg. By the time the fruit reaches households the rates may go up by 40-50 per cent as compared to last year, which could be around Rs 60 per kg or more.'
Another trader at the same market, Md Khaleel said that till Sunday, the supply was barely 40 per cent of the supply compared to last year. 'This is a huge difference,' he said.
'About 40 per cent of the crop in Suryapet, Nalgonda, Miryalguda and Khammam and other mango-producing districts of the state are said to have been badly affected due to unseasonal rains over the last couple of weeks. Besides, the crop has suffered due to poor sunlight of late,' Khaleel said.
News Posted: 18 April, 2011
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