Delicious mangoes in town

MUMBAI, MAR 10: Luscious mangoes are in town. The first of the crop has arrived, a little ahead of time thanks to a dash of extra pesticide farmers liberally sprinkled over their fields this season. The result is that the fruit is in the city a month ahead of time and is selling at a premium.

According to officials at the Agricultural Produce Market Corporation (APMC), the first batch of mangoes usually arrive in the city in mid-March. However this year, truck laden with fruits drove into the city as early as February and Crawford market already has some fine mangoes on display. Mango lovers have a pesticide called Cultar to thank for this. Apparently, farmers doused their crops with the pesticide and hastened the ripening of the fruit.

While the wholesale rate at present is swinging between Rs 100 a dozen to Rs 300, depending on the quality of the mango, the retail cost is around Rs 400. The difference is attributed to the early plucking of the fruit and the damages during the period when it is stored for ripening. However, the cost is likely to reduce as more truckloads of fruit arrive in the markets.