Due to intermittent rainfall in Hyderabad, residents have been relieved from the scorching summer heat. However, the news is not so good for mango lovers as the production of the ‘King of Indian Fruit’ has been below expectations due to untimely rains and pest attacks. This is likely to result in higher prices due to low supply. Official estimates suggest that the yellow fruit produce will be around 20 to 30 percent less than last year. The Horticulture department has attributed the low production to damage caused by unseasonal rains and black thrips during the flowering stage of the mango crop in November, as well as damage caused to fruits during the fruiting process due to sudden rains and hailstorms.
Mangoes have arrived in the market earlier than last year, but the quantity remains low and prices continue to soar. Normal mangoes are currently being sold at Rs 180 per kg, whereas last year they were sold at Rs 100. Other varieties such as The Himayat mangoes are being sold at Rs 250 per kg, Benishan/Banganapalle at Rs 180 per kg, and Kesar at Rs 250 per kg. Retail vendors are also having to pay more money to purchase mangoes from city markets.
Wholesale mango dealers in major fruit markets have raised concern and dissatisfaction over the low production of mango this year due to unseasonal rains and pest attacks. Mango arrivals at the Koheda market in Hayathnagar, Batasingaram, Gudimalkapur, and Monda Market in Secunderabad have come down by 20 to 30 percent compared to last year. The State markets receive mangoes from various districts of Telangana, including RangaReddy, Suryapet, Mahabubnagar, and Khammam, as well as various districts from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
