Mango production hit by unseasonal weather

Mango, the most loved fruit among Indians will be less sweet this season as crop has seen a huge damage and prices are higher. even season is getting delayed.

 

Recent irratic weather has caused a countrywide damaged to the mango crop which has been in the various stages of maturity. Damage is more significant for Gujarat, Maharashtra where crop comes early while such reports are coming from another major producer Andhra Pradesh also. Western crop includes premium verity like Alphonso which fetches premium in export market.

 

According to data posted by the National Horticulture Board (NHB) on its website, two third of mangos are produced in five states like UP, AP, Bihar, Gujarat and Maharashtra. All these states have suffered damages in Mango crop.

 

The total production of mango in the country stood at 18 million tonnes in 2012-13 as compared to 16.19 million tonnes in 2011-12. 2013-14 estimates are not available.

 

UP, Bihar in northern India has also seen a huge damage but there the crop is in flowering stage. Trade estimates suggest close to 40% of mango fruit has reportedly been damaged in western India because of hailstorm and unseasonal rains in Junagadh in Saurasthra where popular Kesar mango is grown and also in Dang and Tapi belt in southern Gujarat. Similar damages have been seen in Konkan region of Maharashtra.

 

Harsukh Jarsaniya, secretary of Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) in Talala in Junagadh, said, “The fruit of 'Kesar' mango has suffered damage here and surrounding areas.”

 

Sanjay Vekaria, a farmer from Kodinar in Junagadh district said, “Nearly 40-50% of mango fruit has been affected in Saurashtra area. Weather is still not good and if it continues to be so, there is fear of disease and pests affecting the plants.”

 

All these will also delay arrivals and put pressure on prices, he said.

 

However, in Maharashtra, mango production has also been hit because of unfavourable weather increasing production cost. Vidyadhar Joshi, a Devgad-(known for Alphonso) based mango grower from Konkan region of Maharashtra owns mango farm with over 2,000 trees.  “we see yields falling this season," Joshi said. Production of mangoes in Maharashtra’s Konkan region is expected to drop drastically this year to 25,000 tonnes.  The average production in this region is close to 45,000 tonnes.

 

Ajit Gogate, chairman of Devgad Taluka Amba Utpadak Sahakari Sanstha, a society comprising 700 farmers growing Alphonso mango in Devgad taluka of Sindhudurga district in Maharashtra, said, "In March 2013, over 352 tonnes of mangoes arrived at various markets in the country, and the average price was around Rs 3,390 per quintal. Today, only 65 tonnes of mangoes have arrived, and price is around Rs 4,550 per quintal." This indicates how the season is likely to progress from now.

 

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) data showed the country has exported 55,584.98 tonnes of fresh mangoes across the world during 2012-13. These exports were worth Rs 264.72 crores.

 

During April 2013 to Dec 2013, India exported mangoes to 65 countries. Out of India's total mango exports, 10% went to EU countries. UAE’s share was the largest, at 54% by. Stringent quality checks by EU  

 

In Andhra Pradesh, which has also witnessed unseasonal rainfall, mango production is expected to take a plunge.

 

According to the first estimates prepared by the Andhra Pradesh horticulture department, the output is expected to be 4.54 MT (million tonnes), spread across 504,348 hectares (1 ha=2.5 acres). This however may be revised downwards, said sources. Level of damage in some areas is estimated 50%.

 

In 2012-13, the fruit output in the state stood at 4.4 MT spread over an area of 489,658 hectares.

 

Within the state, coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema region together constitute 70% area of cultivation and production, while the rest comes from Telangana.

 

Unseasonal rainfall in interior parts of the Andhra Pradesh last week impacted the fruit's prospects, as the plantation area covering 16,000 hectares in Karimnagar, Warangal, Nizamabad and some areas in Rayalaseema were affected, according to preliminary data on crop damage prepared by department of Horticulture.

 

"Retail prices for the initial arrivals should be higher as traders may speculate against the backdrop of unexpected damages in the first week of March," said commissioner of  Horticulture M Papi Reddy.

 

In the last season, the average retail price of the mostly preferred Banginapalli and Rasalu (juice) in Hyderabad stood at Rs 40-50 per kg and Rs 50-60 per kg respectively.