For aam aadmi, mangoes are juicier now

SURAT: There is good news for mango lovers. With the season peaking, the prices of the mangoes are coming down to affordable levels for the aam aadmi.
Despite the near washout of Surti Hafoos in parts of Valsad and Navsari districts due to inclement weather , this prices of this variety is around Rs 800 for 20 kg as compared to Rs 1,200- Rs 1,300 per 20 kg in local markets a week ago.Kesar that was selling at Rs 800- Rs 900 per 20 kg is now available for Rs 500-600 per 20 kg.
"Yes, the alphonso mangoes are limited this year. However, whatever is available is almost ready and all the farmers have started selling their crop. It is likely that prices will go down further," said Bharat Nayak, a farmer from Valsad.
NI Shah of Navsari Agriculture University( NAU) said, "In the coming days, prices are expected to further reduce by 15-20 per cent. It looks like mangos from south Gujarat may not be available for people in other states or even Ahmedabad at reasonable price this year but local markets would get their regular supply at normal rates."
"There is a fear among farmers that this unseasonal rains or early rains by end of May would ruin their crop if they don't pluck the fruit and sell it off before end of this month. As a result, many farmers who used to wait till beginning of June to pluck the fruit to get better price, have started plucking and selling off their fruits. This has resulted in local markets flooding with fruit," said Mehul Patel, a trader in Dharampur fruit market.
R Mishra, a trader in Valsad fruit market, said, "Varieties like Rajapuri would be available at Rs 200-250 per 20 kg and kesar will come down to Rs 500 per 20 kg in coming days."