Chittaranjan Tembhekar

Inflation and the unexpected and extended cold wave in the first two months of the year have drained the sweetness out of mangoes this summer.

The cold wave in February destroyed nearly 75 per cent of the crop along the Konkan coast, causing prices to soar.

And inflation is making matters worse.

“Besides the extended winter dew that virtually killed 75 per cent of the first mango crop in the first week of February, the increasing cost of labour, electricity, and fertiliser will surely add to the cost of mangoes this year,” said Ratnakar Karale of Dial-A-Mango at the APMC,Vashi.

At present, alphonso mangoes are being sold for Rs1,100 a dozen in the retail market.

Chembur resident Rajendra Sharma, a mango lover, says, “If prices continue to rise like this, I won’t be able to buy good quality alphonso.”

Sharma is hopeful that the prices will come down in April. His sentiments are echoed by Vashi resident Vinaya Shintre, who says she would buy mangoes in April as she expects to get them cheaper then.

Traders said the prices are likely to come down once supply from Konkan and Gujarat improves.

Source : DNA