Shahin Bepari Lambe
Panaji
In some good news for mango lovers, prices of the prized ‘Mankurad’ variety of the fruit have started to drop in the local markets.
The small to medium-sized mangoes of the variety are now being sold at Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,500 per dozen, which is a sharp drop from the earlier rates of Rs 5,500 to Rs 6,000 per dozen in early March. However, the fruit still remains expensive for many buyers.
Despite its fame and the usually high demand, Mankurad mango has not been attracting many buyers this season due to its high prices. Vendors say the high prices are the result of several factors, including poor weather conditions, problems in supply chain and lower yields from the local farms.
Presently, only a few Mankurad mango trees across the state have the fruit ready for harvest. Farmers are also concerned about the effects of the unseasonal rain on the upcoming harvest.
“There is limited availability of the top Goan mango varieties and by May, the Goan varieties may cease to enter markets. The extreme temperatures and erratic weather patterns in some mango-growing regions have also contributed to a delay in harvesting the yield, further driving up prices this month,” said fruit vendor Ahmed Shaikh.
However, more Mankurad mangoes are now arriving in the Panaji market. Earlier, only two or three vendors sold the variety, but now there are at least a dozen vendors.
The high prices are, however, forcing some buyers to look at other options such as Alphonso mangoes, which continue to remain popular. Alphonso mangoes are currently priced between Rs 1,000 and
Rs 1,200 per dozen.
Other mango varieties are also available in the market. Alphonso mangoes from the Sindhudurg belt are selling at Rs 800 to Rs 1,300 per dozen, depending on their size.
For those looking at more affordable options, Payri mangoes are available at Rs 300 to Rs 350 per dozen. This variety is considered a cheaper alternative to premium mangoes. “While the price is higher compared to the regular mango seasons, it is considered a more economical option in light of the soaring rates of the premium varieties,” said vendor Dadapeer Mulla.
Totapuri mangoes are currently selling at Rs 180 per kilo, while Sinduri mangoes are priced at
Rs 200 per kilo.
