Akshaya Tritiya spirits dampened as mango prices soar on low supply

Low yield and untimely rainfall caused mango prices to shoot up in the wholesale market as well as in the retail market just before Akshya Tritiya. Because of its low supply, the price of mango has doubled in the market. People buy mangoes on the occasion of Akshya Tritiya, which is on April 18 this year, to use it during religious rituals.

According to traders from Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) in Vashi, the price of mangoes is between Rs 300 to Rs 1200 per dozen, which is almost double compared to last year’s price. Sanjay Pansare, a former APMC director and fruit trader said that low yield has resulted in a price rise. However, he added that there has been no impact of rainfall in the last two days.

The reason for the low yield of annual fruit supply is untimely rainfall in January. Ashok Hande, another trader at APMC Vashi said, “Flowering in mango trees take place in stages. The untimely rainfall during January affected the crop. The flowering of the trees in January leads to the fruits being ready by April and May.” He added that the quality of crop has also been damaged with black spots.

A box containing six dozen mangoes has only four dozen eatable mangoes. “Buyers paying for six dozen of mangoes are actually getting only four dozen,” said Hande.