HYDERABAD: Huge rush of buyers for fruit markets in the city around this time, the fag end of the mango season, would be a regular sight but this year the scene is missing, the major reason being the cost of mangoes which is double that prevailed last year. A kilo of the ‘king of fruit’ is being sold in the city at prices ranging between `60 and `80. The rates last year ranged between `35 and `50 last year.
Consequently, the local wholesale market has been witnessing the arrival of just 20 to 40 truckloads of mangoes a day while it was 100 to 150 truckloads last year. The city receives mango supplies from Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, and Khammam, Nalgonda, Mahbubnagar and Warangal districts of Telangana. While wholesalers decide prices on the basis of quality and size of the fruit, retailers cite this as a reason to jack up prices. The fleshy and juicy varieties of the fruit, which are relished by one and all and in great demand, are even exported to other states.
Those who buy do it at their own risk. On the other hand, the wholesale rates have shot up and are being sold for Rs 21,000 to 35,000 per 1,000 kg this year. The abnormally-high prices are putting off many retail vendors and making them reluctant to make purchases at the Kothapet wholesale fruit market.
Ch Srinivas, a wholesaler, said that he was hesitant to buy mangoes this season due to the high price. “We are thinking twice as there is no interest from customers either. Usually, there would be a lot of takers for the fruit at the end of the season. Retailers are selling the fruit at Rs 60 a kilo and we can’t afford it,” said Srinivas and added that the arrival of stock too has come down by 60 per cent over last year’s volumes and one of the reasons was the bad weather.
Echoing the views, another trader, K Vikas Kumar, said that the prices were high this season, forcing retailers to buy the fruit in low quantities. “There is not much supply from the farmers and this also has led to increase in the price. We are therefore exporting the fruit to Delhi,” he explained.