The twin impact of Covid-19 lockdown and exodus of labourers to their distant native states has dealt a severe blow to the already subdued market prospects of mango crop in Maharashtra and Gujarat.
With the annual mango season peaking in these two Western states, the lockdown restrictions on the smooth interstate movement of goods coupled with the mass exodus of labourers working in the mango orchards and packhouses are staring in the face of growers and traders.
Maharashtra’s flagship mango variety of alphonso, which normally sells for Rs.700-800 a dozen at this time of the season, was sold at