Lack of Mangoes in India

Alphonso, the best loved variety among the kingdom of mango varieties is in shortage this season. The eagerly awaited golden fruit, has made an early entry but is selling at higher prices compared to last year. This lack of fruit is caused mainly by unseasonal rains in Ratnagiri and Devgarh in Maharashtra state, home to the Alphonso. Moreover, there was an extended cold spell in these regions, due to which the mango trees couldn't flower in time. The excessive use of fertilisers by mango growers has also been noted as a possible reason for changing soil chemistry and faint crop. In the heat of season for mangoes, the traders predict that only 60-70% of the expected fruits has hit the market, and the total crop meets the demand only by a third. According to Ram Morde, one of the major fruit sellers in Crawford Market in Mumbai, "At this time I'm selling about 1,000 dozen of mangoes a day. But last year this would have been nearly 2,000 dozen at the same time."