Rain and hail in recent weeks has damaged mango crops in southern India, reports the Times of India.
Growers were expecting better yields this season due to alternate bearing, but rain and hailstorms have depleted volumes in many regions.
The crop in Karnataka state was particularly badly affected, with some growers reporting losses of up to 70 per cent. State authorities pegged overall crop damage at 10-15 per cent.
Southern-Indian-mango prices are some 20 per cent higher this year compared to last due to limited availability, the Times of India said.
Traders are looking forward to the start of the northern Indian mango season, typically late-May to June, when they expect prices to fall.
However frequent storms in northern regions over the last few weeks are causing some concern within the sector, the report said.
