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Mango prices are down by one-third to half currently compared with last year, owing to higher supplies.
The wholesale price of locally grown varieties such as Himsagar and Bombai are down by 33-42 per cent at around Rs 20 a kg this year, compared with Rs 30-35 last year.
However, Bengal’s famous ‘Langra aam’ is so far ruling flat at last year’s level at Rs 40.
“There is a very good supply of mangoes like Himsagar and Bombai this year and this has brought down prices.
“Langra has just started coming into the market now, once the arrival picks up, then, we expect prices to come down,” said Chandan Mahato, a fruit trader at the Mechua wholesale market in Kolkata.
Arrival of Bengal mangoes usually happen by the second or third week of May. However, mangoes such as Banganpalli from Andhra Pradesh and Gulabkhas from Bihar are available in the markets by end of March or early April.
The price of Gulabkhas, which was close to Rs 50 at the beginning of this season, has now come down to Rs 20-25.
“This year, the southern States have also witnessed a good production. Supply of Gulabkhas and Banganpalli is better than last year. This has brought down prices,” Shiv Kumar, another fruit trader in the wholesale market said.
Production
According to current estimates, mango production in West Bengal is up by nearly 15 per cent over last year, said P.K. Pramanik, Director, State Horticulture Department.
Exact estimate of the production will be available only by the second week of June, he said. In 2012-13, West Bengal produced 7.23 lakh tonnes of mangoes.
Meanwhile, a bumper production of mango this year has prompted the State Horticulture Department to set up a temporary mango market on the Kolkata Maidan from mid-June.
The department also plans to hold a 7-day fair in Delhi at Banga Bhavan and Delhi Haat starting June 11.
“We plan to showcase the best varieties of mangoes grown in the State such as Langra, Lakshmanbhog, Himsagar and Gopalbhog at the Delhi fair. This will help create a brand for Bengal mangoes,” Pramanik said.
At the mango market in Maidan, the farmers from Murshidabad, Malda, Hooghly and other districts would be encouraged to sell their produce directly to consumers.
“This will help mango lovers to get best quality mangoes at reasonable prices,” he said.
Though the market would be initially set up for a period of seven days, however, it could be extended for a week more depending on the demand, he said.
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