INDIA: The temperamental weather has led to a delay in harvest, causing mango prices to rise from Rs 1,000-4,000 (USD 19-76) to Rs 5,000-10,000 (USD 95-190) per box (4 dozen-10 dozen pieces). The cause of delay vary from area-to-area, including unusual heavy rainfall, drought, and strong winds.
Mango plantations in northwest and east India experienced up to 18mm of rainfall on the 2nd week of April 2012, with strong winds blowing off mango blossoms and fruits from trees.
This has delayed the Alphonso mango harvest in the state of Andhra Pradesh, which normally starts in March. Alphonso mangoes are the most popular variety in India because of its high quality, while the Kesar variety is second. Kesar mangoes from the western state of Gujarat also suffered the same fate, with harvests delayed by six weeks.
Meanwhile, the city of Kolar in South India is faced with “extremely dry weather and zero moisture in the soil” as stated by horticulture department officials in an interview with The Times of India. From the usual 1.5 million tons per year, officials expect that yields could drop to as low as 150,000 tons. Raspuri and Badam mangoes, considered low-quality varieties, have tripled in price locally. The Alphonso variety is expected to be too expensive for the common man.
As of the 3rd week of April, prices have also tripled in the city of Coimbatore in South India. The Alphonso and Imampasanth varieties cost Rs 180 (USD 3.50) per kg in wholesale markets, even higher in retail outlets. For lesser varieties Nadusalai, Bangapalli, and Senthuram, prices range from Rs 60-80 (USD 1.10-1.50). Other varieties are even scarcely available, with only three tons arriving per week from the usual 15 tons.
For Coimbatore, unexpected rains and a cyclone lowered flowering last December.
For Kanpur City in North India, strong westerly winds blowing at a speed of 50-55 kph damaged up to 40% of mangoes. Prior to this, January rains, winds from cyclonic winds, and “extremely low” temperatures caused irrecoverable loss during the flowering stage.
Production in Western India is also affected by erratic temperatures. Farmers report that night temperatures reach below 9oC and shoot up to 36OC in daytime during the flowering months. Growers in the area witnessed a constant decline in yields for the last three years.
The decrease in production ultimately decreased exports. For Pune City in Western India, the Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB) stated in an interview with The Times of India that they will only meet 75 metric tons out of the 150-mtdemand of the US. Exports to the US only reached 84.48 metric tons in 2011, less than 50% of the 275-metric-ton figure in 2008.
The Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) in Mumbai confirmed that export orders have also declined. As a result, export prices rose by 50%.
However, the supply is expected to arrive in a few weeks. Prices of Alphonso are expected to plummet lower than Rs 700 (USD 13.30) per box of 4 dozen pieces
References
- Bhattacharya, S. “India’s inclement weather threatens apple and mango harvests”. The National. 18 April 2012. <Retrieved from http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/south-asia/indias-inclement-weather-threatens-apple-and-mango-harvests on 30 April 2012>
- Madaan, Neha. “Mango exports decrease due to 30% drop in production”. The Times of India. 12 April 2012. <Retrieved from http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-12/pune/31330565_1_export-orders-mango-grower-alphonsos on 30 April 2012>
- Mishra, I. “40% mango crop damaged due to winds”. The Times of India. 9 April 2012. <Retrieved from http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/40-mango-crop-damaged-due-to-winds/articleshow/12588152.cms on 30 April 2012>
- Ranganath, K. “Mangoes to be out of aam janta’s reach”. The Times of India. 14 April 2012. <Retrieved from http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/Mangoes-to-be-out-of-aam-jantas-reach/articleshow/12658818.cms on 30 April 2012>
- Shaji, K.A. “Mango season arrived, poor yield causes price rise”. The Times of India. 17 April 2012. <Retrieved from http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-17/coimbatore/31354621_1_mango-prices-mango-season-malgova on 30 April 2012>
- Suryawanshi, S. “Alphonso mango price plummets, go ahead and dig in”. Daily News and Analysis India. 26 April 2012. <Retrieved from http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_alphonso-mango-price-plummets-go-ahead-and-dig-in_1680770 on 30 April 2012>
- Thanusha, S.K. and N. Noorazam. “Indian mango shortage expected”. New Straight Times. 21 April 2012. <Retrieved from http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/indian-mango-shortage-expected-1.76040 on 30 April 2012>