Andhra Pradesh: Sweet mangoes turn sour for farmers; production drops by 25%

Mango production has dropped by 25 percent in Andhra Pradesh. Export of the mangos is likely to decline by 20 percent this year.

One of the largest producers of mangoes in the country, Andhra Pradesh has witnessed a 25 percent drop in production due to extreme weather conditions.

The King of Fruits is grown in an area of 3.75 lakh hectares with an estimated production of 46 to 50 lakh tonnes. However, the production has been halved due to unseasonal rains during the flowering period

Additional Director, Horticulture, M Venkateswarulu said the production of mango halved to 34 to 38 lakh tonnes in this season (2022). The drop in production of mangoes will hit the export of the mangoes from the state.

Andhra Pradesh exported over 1,600 metric tonnes of Banginapalli, Rasalu, and a few other varieties to different countries in 2019. The Covid-19 hit hard on mango export in 2020 and 2021.

The horticulture department with the support of various organizations will export the mangoes to the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East countries in the coming days.

If everything goes as per plans, AP will export over 7,000 Metric Tonnes of Mangoes (1,000 MT directly and over 6,000 MT indirectly) to various countries in 2022. As of now, there are no restrictions on the export of mangoes. "However, the mango exports will decline by at least 20 percent this year," Venkateswarulu added.

Most of the mango growers in the state have grown Banginapalli, China Rasalu, Pedda Rasalu, Totapuri, Neelam, and Suvarnarekha varieties in the state.

Benishan or Banginpalli is one of the premium varieties of Andhra Pradesh. However, this year the production of the Banginapalli variety has dropped considerably. "Price of the Banginapalli variety may touch at least Rs30,000 per tonne in the coming days," said P Venkatesh, a mango trader in Vijayawada city.

The quantity of the export of mangoes depends on various factors. The mango growers and traders will get at least 30 to 40 percent more revenue if their produce was exported to foreign countries.

Extra information:

Alphanzo from Maharashtra, Dasheri from Uttar Pradesh and Banginapalli from Andhra Pradesh are exported mostly to other countries.

Farmers raise Banginapalli, Rasalu, Totapuri, and Suvarnarekha varieties in Andhra Pradesh

Nearly 60 percent of the total mango area in AP is under the cultivation of Banginapalli variety mango.

Nearly 10 to 15 percent of mango product from AP is exported to other countries.

The cost of one-tonne mango will be ranging between Rs40,000 and Rs60,000,

The exporters sell one tonne of mangoes to Rs2.5 lakh per tonne in countries

Among all, Banginapalli, Rasalu, and Suvarnarekha seem to be in demand from the mango lovers

The Horticulture department plans to organize buyers-seller meetings with a special focus on exporting the quality mangoes from AP to foreign countries, particularly gulf and Middle East countries.