Alphonso mango lovers in for an expensive feast this summer

The summer bonanza to enjoy the Alphonso mangoes is likely to go for a toss unless the aam-aadmi is prepared to shell out a bomb to savour the flavor. The unprecedented rain in March and April has damaged almost 50% of the mango crop in several areas of Maharashtra that has hit the supply of the favoured fruit and may also lead to a significant price rise.

Currently, the king of mangoes, Alphonso, reaps a market price of Rs 500 to Rs 1000 a dozen. The price is set to increase by 30% if recurrent rain and humid weather continues to hamper mango production. The worst affected areas due to incessant rain have been Valsad, Navsari in Gujarat and Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra.

People wait for the peak season- May and June- to enjoy the Alphonso mangoes but in the wake of inclement weather, they may have to satiate their cravings in April itself. The premature rain has badly affected the second season and the early harvest of mangoes has been damaged.

Prices set to increase

Indian mangoes were facing a ban till now which has now been uplifted by the European countries. Once they start to import the Alphonso, prices in the domestic market are set to increase due to increased demand.
Image Credit: dnaindia.com