ALPHONSOS FLOOD APMC MARKET, PRICES FALL BY 50%

VASHI: Here’s some good news for mango lovers. The price of alphonso mangoes have nosedived by more than 50% at the APMC wholesale market in Vashi because of increased productivity and less export demand.

Alphonso mangoes from the Konkan region, where it’s produced on a large scale, now cost between Rs700 and Rs3000 a box as compared to Rs3,000 — Rs7,000 a box in April last year. Each box contains 4- 5 dozen mangoes. Around 25,000 to 30,000 boxes of alphonsos arrive at the market daily and the stock is expected to increase later this month and in May.

The prices are expected to fall further with the arrival of mangoes from Karnataka and Pune, said APMC director Sanjay Pansare. “Usually, alphonsos are exported to Dubai and London. However, the winter in London and bumper supply to Dubai have led to a decline in the export, which in turn has led to the fall in prices here,” said Pansare.

BACHCHAN KUMAR Mangoes in abundance.