With the European Union banning the import of Alphonso mangoes from the country, the fruit is now available at half the price, you would have paid otherwise. Thus, giving mango lovers an opportunity to enjoy the expensive variety.
Alphonso, which was available at around Rs 300 kg last year, is now being sold for Rs 140 per kg.
Even prices of other varieties of mangoes have seen some decline in the cost due to the bumper watermelon and muskmelon crop this season.
While wholesalers are selling various usual varieties of mango at Rs 30 to 35 per kg, vendors are selling them for anywhere between Rs 55 and 65 per kg.
“Due to the bumper crop of mango in the country, the price of mangoes has come down to some extent. On the other hand, price of Alphonso variety has shown a considerable decline due to the ban imposed on the variety by the EU,” said Amarveer Singh, general secretary of Fruits and Vegetables Commission Agents Association of Punjab.
He said even the price of watermelon and muskmelon had seen a dip to some extent due to more production of the fruit in the country this season.
{{/usCountry}}He said even the price of watermelon and muskmelon had seen a dip to some extent due to more production of the fruit in the country this season.
{{/usCountry}}“Another reason of different varieties of mango flooding the market is that summer arrived late,” Singh added.
A fruits' trader, Jaspal Singh, said Alphonso, which was considered to be the most expensive variety of mango, was available in excess in the market at half the rate as compared to previous years.
The EU had banned import of mangoes from India beginning May 1, after a large number of shipments from India were found to be contaminated with fruit flies. The EU had issued a statement saying these flies could cause serious threat to crops being grown in European countries.