Andhra Pradesh: Mango prices at Nunna market take a plunge due to sooty mould

On an average, 50-60 tonnes of infested raw mangoes arrive in the market every day, and their price ranges between ₹10,000 and ₹13,000 per tonne; the premium ‘Banginapalli’ variety is commanding a price ranging from ₹40,000 to ₹50,000 per tonne

Mango prices have plummeted this season for various reasons, including poor quality, at the Nunna market here as the maximum price is only about ₹50,000 per tonne.

Though the season began on a buoyant note with the prices touching nearly ₹70,000 per tonne, the returns nosedived later. The per-tonne price now ranges between ₹10,000 and ₹50,000, depending upon the quality of the fruit.

The reason for such a scenario is attributed to the sooty mould ( Meliola mangiferae), also called ‘mangu’ in local parlance, a kind of fungus.

Nunna Mango Growers’ Association president D. Hussain says that, on an average, 50-60 tonnes of infested raw mangoes arrive in the market every day. Their price ranges between ₹10,000 and ₹13,000 per tonne.

“The price of good quality mangoes touches ₹50,000 per tonne, and exports too have picked up,” he says.

Horticulture officials say that unseasonal rains in several areas have impacted the mango yield this year. The high moisture has caused pest infestation in mango trees in some areas.

The prices of raw mango have fallen primarily due to sooty mould. But the farmers who have taken precautionary steps such as covering the fruit from the initial stage itself have not suffered much loss, the officilas say.