Mango prices are ruling steady at the main wholesale market at Nunna near here with trade sources saying the price levels may hold till month-end. There may be a slight spurt towards the end of the season in June, with decline in arrivals.

The Banganapalli variety ruled in the range of Rs 7,000 a tonne to Rs 16,000 a tonne and Rs 6,000-8,000 a tonne for the Totapuri variety. Prices were considerably higher in April with the best variety of Banganapalli ruling well over Rs 20,000 a tonne once, but after that there was a correction. Throughout May the arrivals at the market yard will be good and then they may taper off from the first week of June.

The fruits are despatched to upcountry markets in trucks from the Nunna market yard and in rakes from the Nuzvid railway station in Krishna district. Seven rakes of the Banganapalli and Totapuri have been sent to the northern States so far.

The Vijayawada Divisional Railway Manager, Mr Anurag, said there was no dearth of rakes and as soon as the requisition was given by the trade, it was being made available at Nuzvid railway station within a day. The number of Box Closed Wagons (BCN) per rake has been increased to 42 and each wagon can carry 30 tonnes.

Andhra Fruit Growers' and Merchants' Association gets the rakes placed and loaded when mango boxes arrive at Nuzivid railway loading point near Hanuman Junction close to National Highway No.5. According to the Association president, Mr Shaik Allauddin, last year 25,000 tonnes of mangoes were sent to Gujarat, Maharashtra, the North-East, and other northern States.

Rains in March damaged the crop and also reduced the yield. Despite that, the growers expect to export at least 35,000 tonnes during the current season.

“We hope there will be no more summer showers and gales during May. We hope nature will be kind to us,” he said. Mr Shaik Allauddin expressed happiness at the prompt and qualitative service offered by the Railways at Nuzivid.

The rakes were reaching their destination on the fourth day, and the raw mangoes loaded here would be ready for consumption by the time they reached the selling point, he added.

The rail freight is also 50 per cent of normal rates, as agricultural produce is given concession. Each rake generates Rs 18.5 lakh revenue for the railways.

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