With the arrival of mangoes in the markets at its peak, traders see good demand for the mangoes in the current season.
Though over 30 to 40 varieties of mangoes arrive in the market beginning from April to June, Sendura, Malgova, Imam Pasand, Banganapalli, Sakkaraikatti, Neelam, Alphonso, and Kili Mooku are the most popular varieties preferred by customers, said V. Subramanian, who sells mangoes during the season for the past 15 years. He said that mangoes arrive from Salem, Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts and the price had gone up by 10 % to 20% now. Traders said that due to intense heat there is a drop in production and prices are expected to go up in the coming days.
These fruits of different varieties are sold widely in shops, push carts and roadsides.“Depending upon the varieties, mangoes are available from ₹10 per kg to ₹ 300 per kg and one can choose the varieties needed for them”, said P. Amutha of Kollampalayam. She said that since milk shakes, ice creams and juice can be prepared from mangoes, children also like the seasonal fruit.
Many people said that they prefer naturally ripened mangoes and not by using calcium carbide for artificial ripening of the fruit. Many vendors, who sell vegetables, also sell the fruit at our doorsteps and we purchase from them, said Gayatri, a homemaker at Periyar Nagar. With sugarcane juice, watermelon, fruit juice, mosambi, noongu, tender coconuts, pearl millet, butter milk and cucumbers are most preferred during the summer, the king of fruit is also preferred by the people at large.