King alphonso arrives late

Priced at Rs 200-400 a dozen at APMC Vashi

May be around one month late, but the alphonso , the king of all varieties, has finally made its way into the market "" in attractive look and colour, and also with alluring fragrance.

Alphonso mangoes usually arrive at the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC), Vashi market latest by February 15. But this year, these arrived at the market one month late owing to severe cold during January 24-27. Crop, which was ready for harvesting in the last week of January, ended up falling prematurely because of this sudden peak in cold, especially in the Konkan region.

Although these mangoes look attractive outwardly, they are found to be of poor quality, as they were hit by the cold wave. Besides, being from early crop, they have a higher price tag. So, consumers are buying them hesitatingly and with a degree of scepticism.

"Alphonso is harvested in the first week of February and supplied to the markets in the second week. This year about 25 per cent of alphonso mangoes in the Konkan region are damaged because of premature falling. So, the supply is tight," Balasaheb Bende, director - fruits section, APMC, said.

However, few consumers are turning up to buy mangoes in full scale; rather, they seem to be buying to just taste the new arrivals, he added.

APMC is currently receiving about 2,000-2,500 boxes (each containing four-six dozen) of alphonso mangoes daily. Supplies at this time last year were at least double. This year, supplies are expected to pick up only by the last week of March.

Besides the Konkan region, Ratnagiri and the rest of Maharashtra would also be able to supply to Mumbai only by the last week of March, sources said.

At present, from the lower to the premium quality of alphonso is priced in the range of Rs 200-400 a dozen. However, stockists sell it at a profit of 20-25 per cent. So, for consumers, the premium quality is available between Rs 500 and Rs 550 a dozen.

This year, crop being good all around, supplies are expected to remain in full swing. So, there is no likelihood of an extraordinary price rise, Bende said.

Production of alphonso mango is concentrated in the Konkan region over a total acreage of 1,40,239 hectares.

The region's output is estimated at 2,93,637 tonne. These mangoes are exported in reefer and CA (controlled atmosphere) containers by the sea route to the Middle East, especially Dubai, and London. An estimated 13,000 tonne of alphanso mango is exported every year.