In the initial period, the Totapuri variety cost Rs 14,000 per tonne. But as the season is coming to an end, there was a steep rise in the cost of this variety. On Monday night, the escalating price of the mango variety raised the eyebrows of the farmers and the traders alike.
As mango yield has hit an all time low in the season ending there is an increase in the demand for the raw mangoes from the juice manufacturing companies.
Totapuri variety is widely used in the preparation of mango juice.
Competitive prices
The mangoes are being sold at competitive prices, thanks to its low production this year. Last year, the mangoes are sold at Rs 5,000 to 8,000 per tonne, but this year, it has created a record of sorts.
Inspite of the good demand and good price for the mangoes, this time, the yield has hit an all time low. The farmers could have earned more if there was a good yield.
“Either way, the farmers are at a loss, we end up producing more and the price is less, or we produce less and the price is more and yet we cannot reap much benefits, says mango grower P R Doddareddy of Pillikunta village.
“Though the mangoes have earned good prices, what is the use unless there is a good yield. We cannot earn more profit. However, we are happy that atleast whatever we have earned a decent profit for whatever we have produced, said another mango grower from Srinivaspur, Basha.
Benisha arrives
Apart from the Neelam variety of mangoes, stock all the other varieties have almost exhausted. Though the Benisha variety has just now made its maiden appearance in the market, it is still not earning a good profit. Usually, the Benisha variety had a good demand in the market every year, since it was preferred.
It was sold at Rs 15,000 per tonne every year. But this year it was plagued by pest attacks, which has automatically taken toll on its demand.
The Benisha mangoes are not in great demand as expected this year, according to the stall owners.
There is a shortage of yield in the Neelam variety of mangoes this year. The mangoes are almost exhausting even before the completion of the harvesting.
Though the price for this variety is yet to be fixed, since it arrives at the end of the season, naturally, the prices of this variety tends to increase, it is expected.