May 12, 2020
Nation-wide shut down with social distancing measures has made a great adverse effect on domestic supply and exports, significantly reducing prices of farm fresh produce.
India is the world’s leading producer of mango. At the moment with the miserable impact caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, the supply of mangoes to domestic and export markets has reduced, and prices a third of what they usually are. Being the peak season of mangoes, there is a drawback in the supply chain of the same.
According to reports, mango farmers and distributors have faced prime difficulties this season following lockdown in late March to cut the spread of Covid-19.
Lockdown caused a labour shortage that was felt right across the nation where majority of the migrants left for their hometown.
According to the report, harvest slowed down and transport was at the standstill and availability of the fruit was limited due to a lack of logistics and workforce, with a number of wholesalers and retailers purchasing lesser fruits with lower demand.
Saud Rais Ali, a mango farmer from Uttar Pradesh told the media that the current problems which the growers are facing would definitely impact future prospects, including potential investments in the industry.
Insram Ali, president of the All India Mango Growers Association, echoed this sentiment, adding the Alphonso mangoes (Hapoos)- a premium variety known as the king of mangoes, cultivated in the state of Maharashtra, were on sale for as little as Rs.500 a dozen, about a third of their usual price.
Ali admitted that the situation was grim, highlighting that in some parts of the country, farmers were already reeling after their mango crops were hit by lower demand due to COVID-19.
Exports have not gone unscathed either, according to Kaushal Khakhar, chief executive of leading exporter, Kay Bee.
Khakhar said, “The air freight costs has risen 300 per cent, pushing Kay Bee to launch an online mango delivery service to target domestic customers in social isolation. I have received appeals from Indian buyers anxious to secure their fill of the fruit”.