India’s nascent mango export opportunities to Japan have struck a hurdle after unseasonal rain caused severe damage to crops in the Chittoor district.
The district was set to be visited by Japanese authorities today, who planned to buy Rs250m (US$5.08m) worth of mangoes after assessing their quality.
Rain damaged the mango crop over about 400ha, reported the Times of India, covering eight mandals and affecting 5,000 tonnes of the fruit.
“As per the assessment done by the horticulture department, the crop destruction is over 50 per cent in 214ha, and less than 50 per cent in 650ha,” said district collector M Ravichandra.
“We will be sending a report in the next two days to the state government to work out the compensation to be paid to the farmers.”
Initial estimates by local officials put the crop loss at about 70 per cent in the affected areas.
“The rain has ruined our lives. Earlier, a tonne of mangoes used to fetch me Rs10,000, but now, I am not getting more than Rs2,000,” Damalacheruvu mango grower Ramulu told the Times.
The rain also affected rise, sunflower, tomato and banana crops.
