Pune: Shortage Of Mangoes In Market On Akshaya Tritiya; Drastic Decline In Alphonso’s Arrival Due To Climate Change
Pune, 18th April 2023: There is a significant increase in demand for mangoes on Akshaya Tritiya, a festival where mangoes are offered to ancestors. However, this year there is a shortage of mangoes in the market, particularly Alphonso, which is usually available in large quantities during this period.
The cause of the shortage is due to fluctuations in weather affecting mango cultivation over the last few months. Unseasonal rains occurred in some areas during November and December, which resulted in good blooms in the first phase of the season. However, due to the hot days and cool nights in February and March, the bloom fell off, causing a decrease in the arrival of the second blossom of mangoes in April.
Every year, around 8,000-10,000 boxes of Alphonso mangoes arrive at Shree Chhatrapati Shivaji Market Yard in Pune for Akshaya Tritiya. However, this year, the arrival of mangoes is limited to around 1,000 boxes per day. The reduced supply has also caused a hike in prices, with the cost of a dozen mangoes in the retail market being high.
The decline in mango cultivation has not only affected sellers and traders but also small farmers. Many small sellers sell mangoes in markets in Pune and Mumbai, and mango cultivation is a crucial source of income for these farmers. Due to climate change, however, this year’s mango cultivation has been affected, and farmers and sellers in Konkan have not sent mangoes for sale.
Furthermore, Nepali workers who usually come to work in gardens in Konkan during the mango season have also returned to their villages due to the impact on mango cultivation this year. Around 80,000 to 90,000 Nepali workers come to Konkan during the season.
The shortage of mangoes this year has affected the availability and affordability of mangoes for the common people during Akshaya Tritiya. It is hoped that the situation will improve in the coming years as the weather stabilizes and cultivation picks up again.
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