The Karnataka Horticulture Department is uncertain about the state’s mango production in 2010. While flowering in south Karnataka is delayed, in north Karnataka the mango trees have witnessed only about 30% of flowering so far. “Although the mango growing season has not yet started this year, it is expected that mango production would drop due to untimely rains, high humidity and pest attacks,” says Vinay S Rajan, director of Karnataka Aromas, a small-sized fruit powder supplier and distributor in Bengaluru. Therefore, there has been a disruption in the flowering pattern in the state. In November-December 2009, there was hardly any flowering in the mango growing regions of Karnataka such as Chitradurga, Kolar, Dharwad and also in places in and around Bengaluru. Last year Karnataka had witnessed an abundance of mango crop, accounting for 8 lakh tonnes of the harvest. However, this year mango production is expected to drop to around 2.5-3 lakh tonnes. This may result in a demand-supply mismatch of the fruit during the year, which is likely to consequently lead to a substantial hike in mango prices. Moreover, according to Madhavan Deivasiga Mani, director of Natura Bio Tech, a mid-sized exporter and trader of fruits and vegetables in Chennai, “Lean crop production of mangoes is also expected in the neighbouring states such as Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu due to unfavourable weather conditions.” Woes of mango processors The probable short supply of mangoes in the state may also adversely affect the mango processing industry. The industry utilises the pulp of the thotapuri variety of mango to manufacture ready-to-serve juices and shakes, jams, squashes and also in Individual Quick Freeze process for export markets. The thotapuri variety is mainly grown in Kolar, Krishnagiri, Madanpalle, Chitoor and Chickballapur in the state. Previously, the processors purchased mangoes at Rs 6,000-8,000 per tonne from the farms. However, lower production of the king of fruits may push up the price to Rs 18,000-20,000 per tonne. |
