According to the national executive member of Mango Growers Association, Shiv Saran Singh, the monsoon has spoiled the Dussehri crop and it has cast a gloom among the growers in the Mahilabad area of UP. "Due to continuous rainfall, the entire crop has been spoiled. The mango growers are finding it difficult to export quality products. The colour of the mangoes has become completely black and they have also gone out of shape. This has pulled down Dussehri's price below that of even potatoes," said Singh.
In the wholesale market, Dussehri is selling for just Rs 6 to 8 per kg, which is the lowest in the last five years. The export orders were for 10 lakh tonnes this year. However, mango growers have been able to meet only 30 per cent of the order.
In other states, where Lucknow Dussehri was in high demand, the prices have had to be slashed because of poor quality of the produce. Members of the association also claimed that the export market has been developed over the years through a lot of efforts from the Mandi Parishad, but due the monsoon, the overseas market has been badly impacted.