Mango gets scarce

Only 30 per cent u00a0of the usual supply likely this mango season because of unexpected rain and heat

Mango lovers are likely to be disappointed this season. The market currently has only 15 per cent of the usual supply of mangoes around this time, and though the availability is expected to go up, it may not be enough to satisfy your taste buds. Rajendra Patange Ambewale, owner of Laxmi Fruits in Sadashiv Peth, said "Mangos this year are coming in phases. Currently, each shop is getting between five and 10 crates every fortnight."

Each crate contains four to five dozen mangoes.

Mandar Desai, a member of the Ratnagiri Gardener Association and director of Desai Bandhu Ambewale, one of the biggest mango traders in the city, said the current supply of mangos is below 20 per cent.

He said, "There are three phases of crop flowering. During the first phase in November, there were sudden rains. The second phase went fine. But in the third phase in February, we had unexpected heat, so the crop was a disaster."

Mangos from the second phase are expected to hit the market between April 10 and 12. It is expected that the market will get 40 per cent to 50 per cent of the usual supply of mangoes available around that time, which includes the Alphonso, Karnataka and Lal Bagh varieties. But not all of it may come to your table in fruit form.

Desai said, "During the second phase, companies that make mango products are expected to pick up mangos in bulk. It is during this phase that they manufacture their products."

The third phase delivery will start in May and is expected to put 30 per cent of the usual supply of mangos on sellers' shelves. Overall, it is expected to be a disappointing mango season this year. Gholak, manager of Maratha Fruits in Gultekdi, said, "The prices will be higher compared to last year. We are not expecting the price to go down as the season progresses."