India is the
largest producer of mangoes and mango puree & concentrate in the world. The
harvesting of commercially pulping mango varieties starts around in April and
goes on till mid July. Primary pulping mango varieties are Alphonso, Totapuri
and to a little extent Sindhura, Neelum, Kesar among others.
This year seems
to be an unprecedented one!
In a normal year
the Alphonso mango harvest starts around 3rd to last week of April
and continues for about 4-5 weeks. However this year in small pockets, the
season has started in around the 1st week of April. Arrivals are yet
to pick up. Prices are firm ranging more or less close to last year’s.
Sindhura mango
harvest starts around same time as Alphonso and this year a little better and
prices are easier than last year. Size of the fruit is smaller than usual due to drought conditions.
Harvest for
Totapuri mangoes start around May 3rd week. In some pockets the
farmers have already harvested matured fruit and pulping has been done for
about 30-40 MT in the 2nd week of April. Now the wait for the actual
season is apparent. With the current scenario, looks like the production of
Totapuri mangoes will reduce to almost half compared to season 2016. This has
happened to due to lack of rains at the time of flowering in the months of January
and February.
On the demand
side, due to low stock levels, in general demand coming mainly from
the ME market. Europe going grim with the stagnant markets, however some
inquiries are coming in already.
