The popular Alphonso mango variety will be dearer this year with prices rising up to 20% from last year’s average of ₹60 a kg.
The Karnataka State Mango Development and Marketing Corporation (KSMDMCL) attributed this to crop damage during the flowering season owing to vagaries of weather. The total cultivation has also gone down by 30% from last year’s 13.5 lakh tonnes.
“Nearly 30% of Alphonso was damaged owing to drought and cyclone. It may cost around ₹75 per kg this year,” said L. Gopalakrishna, chairman, Mango Development Corporation. In spite of the weather conditions, we have managed to contain the loss, he added.
During Alphonso’s first flowering, it was struck by Blossom Blight disease in December and January. “From the total 2 lakh hectares of mango growing areas, about 60,000 hectares under Alphonso cultivation was damaged,” said Kadre Gowda, Managing Director, Mango Development Corporation.
The corporation, however, expects all varieties to arrive on time beginning mid-April, with 10 lakh tonnes likely to hit the market. The officials clarified that among the nearly 25 varieties of mango that Karnataka grows, only Alphonso was affected.
On a positive note, export orders for Alphonso, Mallika and other varieties have been increasing. Karnataka is all set to export 10,000 tonnes of mangoes to 20 countries. As of now, the State has confirmed orders of nearly 4,000 tonnes from a few European countries and the U.S.
“We will export to South Korea for the first time this year, while China, Singapore and Brazil sent representatives to our facilities set up for post-harvest at Malur, Chintamani, Hubballi, and Madikere to check whether the produce went hot water treatment, sorting, grading, pre-cooling, and ripening. They were satisfied and will place orders soon,” Mr. Gowda said.
Micronutrients to fight deficiencies were distributed to nearly 9,900 mango farmers in the State, who are registered with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority.
The corporation’s assistance every year starts off with field demonstrations for farmers, along with interactions with exporters who stipulate the rules for having the best export produce.
The Karnataka State Mango Development and Marketing Corporation (KSMDMCL) attributed this to crop damage during the flowering season owing to vagaries of weather. The total cultivation has also gone down by 30% from last year’s 13.5 lakh tonnes.
“Nearly 30% of Alphonso was damaged owing to drought and cyclone. It may cost around ₹75 per kg this year,” said L. Gopalakrishna, chairman, Mango Development Corporation. In spite of the weather conditions, we have managed to contain the loss, he added.
During Alphonso’s first flowering, it was struck by Blossom Blight disease in December and January. “From the total 2 lakh hectares of mango growing areas, about 60,000 hectares under Alphonso cultivation was damaged,” said Kadre Gowda, Managing Director, Mango Development Corporation.
The corporation, however, expects all varieties to arrive on time beginning mid-April, with 10 lakh tonnes likely to hit the market. The officials clarified that among the nearly 25 varieties of mango that Karnataka grows, only Alphonso was affected.
On a positive note, export orders for Alphonso, Mallika and other varieties have been increasing. Karnataka is all set to export 10,000 tonnes of mangoes to 20 countries. As of now, the State has confirmed orders of nearly 4,000 tonnes from a few European countries and the U.S.
“We will export to South Korea for the first time this year, while China, Singapore and Brazil sent representatives to our facilities set up for post-harvest at Malur, Chintamani, Hubballi, and Madikere to check whether the produce went hot water treatment, sorting, grading, pre-cooling, and ripening. They were satisfied and will place orders soon,” Mr. Gowda said.
Micronutrients to fight deficiencies were distributed to nearly 9,900 mango farmers in the State, who are registered with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority.
The corporation’s assistance every year starts off with field demonstrations for farmers, along with interactions with exporters who stipulate the rules for having the best export produce.