UP mango output falls by 50% due to untimely rains, hailstorms

Assocham study says that the prices have shot up by 50-65%

Recurring unseasonal rains and hailstorms have caused massive damage in the mango belt of Uttar Pradesh, with output estimated to fall 50 per cent.

The output is likely to fall to 15 mt this season.

With annual production of about four million tonnes (mt), Uttar Pradesh contributes a quarter of India’s mango output.

According to an Associated Chambers of Commerce on India (Assocham) study, both farmers and consumers are at the receiving end of the havoc caused by rains, with damage reported in Malihabad, Shahabad, Amroha, Bulandshahr, Hardoi, Unnao, Barabanki and Saharanpur.

The situation is equally bad in other mango-growing states, such as Maharashtra and others. The study said the prices have shot up 50-65 per cent, much steeper than those of other fruit and vegetables.

While the actual loss to crop is still being assessed as harvest continues, preliminary estimates suggested a minimum loss of 20 per cent of mango production.

The current year’s mango crop was affected from rains, hailstorms and strong winds, from end-January to early April in north and central India. Rabi crops, especially wheat, was also hit hard.

Mango, also known as the king of fruit, is now selling at Rs 100 a kg in the retail market. The premium variety of Alphonso is selling for Rs 500-600 a dozen in Mumbai due the massive crop loss.

Assocham Secretary General D S Rawat said: “Various state governments have announced relief measures and compensation but they are not sufficient to mitigate the farmers’ losses and also curb rising prices. More needs to be done to help the farmers.”

Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh together account for about half of the country’s mango production, followed by Karnataka (10 per cent) and Bihar (7.6 per cent).

Exports, too, have been affected though India’s share of mango exports has been negligible, at 41,280 tonnes. In comparison Pakistan produces around a mt yet exports 40,000 tonnes.

The United Arab Emirates is the main export destination for Indian mango, accounting for 61 per cent share, followed by the UK (12 per cent), Saudi Arabia (5 per cent), Qatar, Kuwait and Bangladesh.