Aurangabad, March 26:
With the start of the summer season, citizens eagerly await the arrival of mangoes. The wait is now over as the king of fruits has arrived in the markets in the city. Currently, various varieties of mangoes from Ratnagiri, Raigad, and Konkan regions and other states are arriving at APMC.
Varieties of mangoes including Lalbaug, Alphonso and Badam Falli are mostly available in the wholesale market. As a result, mangoes, along with other fruits, have started selling in retail shops. Mangoes are available for sale at a price of Rs 120 to 150 kg. Although the arrival of mangoes in the market is low these days, traders are expecting an increase in arrivals next month. However as the inflow is low, the prices are high. The traders are also expecting the arrival of local varieties of mangoes next month. However, the unseasonal rains have hit mango production in the state. Therefore, there is a possibility of more inflow of mangoes from outside the state. Alphonso (Hapus) has also started arriving in the market. Currently, a box of Alphonso is available for Rs 800 to Rs 1,200. However, customers will have to wait to taste better quality hapus for a month or two said, traders.
Low availability due to rains
Along with Konkan, there is a large influx of mangoes from Alibag, Junnar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Mango arrivals are expected to decline this year due to heavy rains in some places. However, the trader expects a good sale of mango this year, said Shaikh Athar, fruit seller, APMC.