20 March,2009 11:11 AM IST | | Urvashi Seth
Sales were 25 per cent more last year even though prices of Alphonso mangoes stood 100 per cent higher at Rs 1,000 a dozen
Alphonso, arguably the emperor among varieties of the mango, is available for a mere Rs 500 a dozen, and yet, is finding very few takers. Interestingly, Alphonso sales were 25 per cent brisker this time last year though the price stood at Rs 1,000 a dozen then. Even with production falling by 50 per cent this year, traders expect the prices to fall even further thanks to the economic downturn.
"Mangoes that were sold for Rs 1,000 a dozen in 2008 are available at Rs 500 this year. And yet, buyers who have no issues with buying apples for Rs 150 a dozen, are unwilling to buy varieties of mango being sold at the same price," said Sanjay Pansare, director of Mumbai Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC).
He added, "With both the stock as well as the property markets taking a beating, people don't have money to buy mangoes. Last February, the APMC market received 1,000 to 2,000 boxes of mangoes. This February, we received 10,000 boxes of mango, but even the lower prices caused by this increased supply could not attract buyers."
Traders expect the supply of mangoes to be severely hit by the end of the month due to a thriss disease epidemic that has affected the main mango producing states of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. However, even the reduced supply is not expected to raise prices because buyers are hard to come by.
"Traders fear the present stock may rot soon if it is not sold soon," said Abdul Malik Ansari, a wholesaler from Crawford market.
Sarfaraz Ansari, a wholesaler-cum-retailer, from Delhi, said demand from corporates has also dropped by around 30 per cent this year.
Mangoes per dozen cost...
Alphonso: Rs 300 to Rs 600
Ratnagiri: Rs 200 to Rs 500
Payri: Rs 150 to Rs 400
Madrasa: Rs 150 to Rs 200
Devgadh: Rs 300 to Rs 500
