Mangoes are here… oh dear

MUMBAI, April 8: Nature’s fury has denied the palate its slice of the golden fruit this year, with mango-laden trucks entering the city being reduced to a dribble. Mumbaikars, already hot and bothered with the season’s scorcher, will have to salivate in vain as aam ras will have to be struck off their personal menu for the time being.

Unseasonal rains and chilly weather late last year devastated the crop, slashing its yield by half and sending prices through the roof. Wholesalers at Byculla and Crawford markets say stocks are scarce. Early April usually witnesses about 150 to 175 trucks entering the city every day. However, this year the number has dwindled to a sorry 25.

President of the Brihanmumbai Bhajipala Vyapari Mandal, Chandrakant Jagtap, said half the crop of delicate mango flowers was destroyed in October last year, pegging the price of a single crate of the expensive Alphonso variety at Rs 700 to Rs 800 against the usual Rs 200 to 300. Added president of the Dadar Vegetable and FlowersAssociation, Vijay Kumar Dalvi, a crate of five dozen mangoes costs Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 against the usual Rs 700.