Tamilnadu mangoes enter Valsad market

High costs and delay in arrival of the famous Alphonso here have resulted in mangoes from Tamilnadu making their way into the markets in Valsad, which is known for the highest production of mangoes in the entire state of Gujarat.

The arrivals have delayed by a month and also due to high cost of famous Ratnagiri Mango from neighbouring state of Maharashtra which is priced at Rs 2500 to Rs 3000 per bag (20 kgs), mangoes from Tamilndu quoted at Rs 800 for Alphonso, Rs 600 for Totapuri and Rs 500 for lalbag have entered Gujarat markets, said Arun Tripathi, a mango dealer here.

 

Mango farmers of Valsad are a worried lot due to extreme changes in the weather. Damaged flowering this season had not left them with much hope of a good harvest. After good flowering in the month of january this year , hopes rose for high yield of mango crop but damages in the subsequent months of February and March disappointed them. Many small-sized mangoes had fallen off the trees and the production from their orchards is much below the expected level. The constant change in weather had its impact on mango production this year, sources said.

"We expect mango production this year to be around 30 to 35 per cent of what it was last year. Constant change in weather and late flowering have taken their toll on the crop," said experts.

High temperature is also affecting mango production. Several areas in South Gujarat has been experiencing about 40 degree Celsius temperature for last few days. "Because of the high temperature, mangoes turn yellowish and fall off early, said experts.

The famous Alphonso Mango for which Valsad is known is likely to arrive in market from the end of the first week of May. While the entry of Kesar another brand of Mango into the market is expected after a week or so. In addition to this, Kesar mango from Talala in Bhavnagar district in Saurashtra region of Gujarat will also arrive into the market by that time, R R Mishra another mango dealer said.