The impact of climate change, pest infestations, and policy shortcomings have dealt a severe blow to the mango economy in the region, writes Kiranmai Tutika

■ From the usual 400-500 tonnes of mango shipments per day, this season’s volume has dropped drastically, with only 200 tonnes

■ Delayed flowering, infection and pests damaged flowers and young fruit

■ Black Thrips infestation, a notorious pest that damages mango flowers and young fruits

■ Traders from Delhi, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and West Bengal have shown reluctance in bulk purchases due to inconsistent quality

KIRANMAI TUTIKA | Hyderabad 

The king of fruits has disappointed this year. The Nunna Mango Market, Asia’s largest mango trade center is a pale shadow of its former self. What used to be a buzzing yard is today bereft of the usual noise. The dreaded Black Thrips infestation and delayed flowering have wreaked havoc as the yield which used to be 400-500 tonnes has plummeted to 200 tonnes.

The impact of climate change, pest infestations, and policy shortcomings have dealt a severe blow to the mango economy in the region. Traditionally, mango exports from the region pick up in February at the orchard level, while large-scale trading at Nunna begins in April. But this year, arrivals are shockingly low.

Farmers from mango-growing regions like Nuzividu, Vissannapeta, Mylavaram, G Konduru, Reddigudem, and Telangana’s border areas are bringing in significantly lower yields. Farmers who used to harvest 4-5 tonnes per acre are now struggling to yield even half of that.

“The primary culprit behind the disastrous yields this year is the Black Thrips infestation, a notorious pest that damages mango flowers and young fruits. Farmers resorted to spraying pesticides as frequently as 10-12 times to curb the infestation, but the damage remained extensive,” said I Srinivas Reddy, Nunna Mango Growers Association Secretary

Despite lower yields, mango prices have shown an upward trend due to limited supply. Popular mango varieties such as Banginapalli and Rasalu are fetching between Rs 20,000 and Rs 60,000 per tonne, while Tothapuri prices range from Rs 15,000 to Rs 30,000 per tonne. However, northern traders from Delhi, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and West Bengal have shown reluctance in bulk purchases due to inconsistent quality and the uncertainty surrounding supply.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Nunna Market was a powerhouse, exporting 200-300 tonnes of mangoes daily. At its peak, all 88 market shops would be packed with mango consignments heading for domestic and international markets. However, in recent years, market occupancy has dropped significantly, with only half of the shops functioning.

“The last five years have been particularly hard for mango growers,” said Akuri Ramana, a farmer from Nuzividu. “We lack insurance, shortage of fruit covers, and market facilities are not improving. Even though demand is high, we are unable to capitalize on it because of poor support from the officials.” Due to repeated losses, several farmers in Andhra Pradesh are now considering alternative crops, such as oil palm, which promises better returns.

What to do

Farmers and traders recommend an improved pest management strategy, better policies, and infrastructural development to boost trade. The introduction of modern packaging units and cold storage facilities could also help enhance the quality and longevity of the produce, making it more attractive for export markets.