Shortage of supply and increasing international demand are expected to see prices for domestically grown mangoes skyrocket in India this season, according to Food Navigator-Asia.
Citing figures from the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham), Food Navigator claimed production volumes could fall 20 per cent on last year’s crop of 18m tonnes.
Unseasonal rain and hail prior to harvest in key growing regions such as Andra Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra has partly created the shortfall.
“This has had a significant impact on domestic demand of mangoes thereby leading to a rise in their prices,” Assocham’s secretary-general DS Rawat told Food Navigator.
India’s mango industry has worked hard to secure a 27 per cent rise in export volumes over the last three years, with the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh key markets. However, Rawat admitted it might be difficult to build on this ascendancy this season. “Even exports are likely to remain muted this year,” Rawat said.
The EU's recent decision to uphold its ban on Indian mangoes and four other vegetables could ease some tension for suppliers, with volumes traditionally allocated to Europe now free to be absorbed by other international markets.
