Mango exports likely to take a hit

The states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka and others have been experiencing heavy rains due to the presence of a westerly disturbance coupled with formation of a cyclonic disturbance near Rajasthan. IMD reports said Pune and its surrounding regions had received 44 mm of rains since Saturday. IMD has forecast rain and thundershowers and occasional hailstorms in Marathwada, Vidarbha and other parts of the state.

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Ajit Goggate, chairman of Devgad Mangoes, said if the rains continued for a day or two more it would cause major damage to the mangoes. “The season is to officially start by March 10-15 and this rains might delay the process,” he said.

Rains have been lashing Konkan and other mango growing parts of the state. The present season is crucial for the crop as the government has completed the process of registration of mango farmers for exports. Also, the fruit is scheduled to be exported to Europe after the European Union (EU) had lifted the ban on the import. The EU had imposed a ban on Indian mango last year following reports of fruit fly infestation. Officials of Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) say that they hope the exports would pick up by around 50 per cent this year.

Speaking to Newsline over phone from Ratnagiri, Anand Desai, an orchard owner, said though it only drizzled on Saturday evening it rained heavily on Sunday afternoon thus causing heavy damage to the mango blossoms. He said if the rains continued for one more day the orchards would lose as much as 60 to 80 per cent mango yields.

“There was 60 per cent blossoms which could have given a bumper yield in April-May was lost due to the rains. Also, if it continued to rain heavily we will also lose the small fruits which could be harvested by March end. We are praying now that the rains should stop and tomorrow should be a day of full sunshine. If this happens, then the crop will survive somehow,” said Desai.