BERHAMPUR: The seasonal mango market in Berhampur, considered the largest market of the juicy fruits in Southern Odisha, is back in trade. Mangoes started arriving in the market located near Neelakantheswar temple on the outskirts of Berhampur a fortnight back. Almost every variety of the fruit is available in the market now.
At least 72 shops have been opened in the seasonal market this time and 50 to 60 trucks of mangoes are arriving here from local areas besides, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka
every day.
The favourite varieties of the customers are Sundari, Baiganapalli and Cherukurasam or Akhurasa. While a kilogram of Akhurasa mangoes costs `35 in wholesale rate, Sundari is priced between `30 and `35, Baiganapalli `30 and `32 while the Kalambi variety comes for around `25. The local varieties are sold for `18 to `22 per kg. Of all the varieties, Baiganapalli is in maximum demand. Retails, however, are selling the King of Fruits at higher rates.
Apart from being sold in Ganjam district, mangoes from the Neelakantheswar market are supplied to other parts of the State as well, said MS Routray, vice-president of the Mango Market Traders Union. With the local producers unable to meet the demand, Berhampur market depends on Andhra Pradesh for its stock that comes from Srikakulam, Vijayanagaram, Elluru, Nellore, Narsanapeta and Vijayawada.
Some mangoes are also imported from Karnataka. Traders said as mangoes are perishable, about 75 per cent of the businessmen prefer to be commission agents of Andhra wholesalers and about 25 per cent businessmen purchase it directly from the neighbouring State. Berhampur also supplies mangoes to neighbouring States such as West Bengal.
The mango market is a seasonal one and runs for four months every year - April to July. Traders said the market registers a turnover of `1 crore during the season every year.
Mango market in Berhampur has been operating near the Neelakantheswar temple since 1995. Earlier, it was near the St. Stephens Church Ground for 17 years and prior to that, at Khwaja Sahi here.
