Achche Din (good days) for Kesar Mango lovers are not far as auction of this premium variety has begun at Talala in Gir Somnath district, the hub for Kesar mangoes. Till now, mangoes were available only because of direct selling by mango farmers from the region. The auction will augment the supply in the market. Wholesale traders in Ahmedabad said that supplies of Kesar varieties from Valsad and Kutch has also begun and that of Hapoos (Alphonso) from Valsad has also increased. With supplies on a rise, the prices would moderate, they said.
H H Jharsania, secretary of Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) at Talala said that the first day witnessed the auction of 15,000 boxes (of 10 kg each) of Kesar mangoes, which is about 1,000 boxes higher than the previous year. Top class ripe mangoes fetched a price of Rs 800 per box, while unripe and prematurely plucked mangoes fetched Rs 250 per box. Average price stood at Rs 450 per box. "Supplies will fall on Monday and then gradually rise around May 15. It is difficult to predict, what the exact numbers will be," said Jharsania.
Laxmandas Rohra, chairman of Ahmedabad Wholesale Fruit Market Association said that the auction marks an increase in the supply of these mangoes. Full-fledged supply will begin around May 15. "Kesar from Valsad and Kutch have also started arriving. Price per box has already fallen from Rs 1,000 to Rs 800. There is further downside potential of about Rs 200 per box as supplies will increase in the second fortnight of the month," said Rohra. Ahmedabad wholesale fruit market is witnessing arrivals of close to 50 trucks per day, which will start increasing.
Sanjay Nayak, a farmer of Gandeva village in Navsari district said that supply of premium mangoes from south Gujarat region has already started. The region has suffered a major loss with production estimated at a just about 30 per cent of average. Veljibhai Bhudia, a farmer of Madhapar village in Kutch district said that production of Kesar is just about 30-40 per cent of the average, but better than 15-20 per cent witnessed last year. "We have suffered three consecutive droughts. There is not enough moisture in farms or in air. Shooting up of mercury to 40-42 degree Celsius causes dropping of fruits. We have witnessed 46 degree Celsius. A number of farms have absolutely no fruits. Fruits become a little sour in such a scenario," said Bhudia.