‘King of Fruits' arrives early in Bengaluru's markets

Panic over the outbreak of Nipah virus disease (NiV) had virtually left no takers for the mangoes last year. But the ‘King of Fruits’ seems to have made a quick recovery and has lit up a smile on the face of both the farmers and traders across the city. Unlike the usual mango season that begins in the second week of March, the mangoes have arrived in the first week of February leaving many surprised.

However, the horticultural officials not only attributed the phenomenon to the change in climatic conditions but also pointed at early flowering in some parts of Karnataka and adjoining states.

“Last year, due to delayed flowering, the fruits had hit the market by the first week of April, and then the spread of Nipah virus had wiped out the trade inflicting severe losses. But this there are no such threats and the fruits have already flooded the market, especially the colourful varieties of Sindhura and Banganapalli,” explained Mubarak, a fruit trader at the wholesale fruit market on Hosur Road.

For the farmers who had incurred huge losses last year are happy over the yield and price. At retail markets, a kilogram of mango is sold at Rs 150 to Rs 200 depending on the quality.

“Fruits from Srinivasapura, Ramanagarm and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh have begun to arrive in Bengaluru market. This is predominantly due to early flowering in some pockets of these regions. Also, the intense cold for months brought down the risk of pests and moths,” clarified Balakrishna, a senior official at the Karnataka State Mango Development and Marketing Corporation.

Sources in the fruit markets of Bengaluru 'said by March first week other popular varieties like Alphons, Raspuri and Badami varieties are likely to hit the market. Kolar, Tumakuru, Chikkaballapura, Ramanagaram, Haveri and Dharwad contribute to the state’s mango production.