Good News for Mango Lovers: Hapus Mangoes to be available longer this year

Additional rainfall in the Konkan has proved beneficial for the orchards in Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg and Raigad, ensuring that Hapus or Alphonso mangoes will be available till June.

It is a reason to rejoice for Hapus mango lovers as they will get to enjoy the succulent fruit longer than usual this year. Late November showers and early showers this year have resulted in additional flowering and fruit formation of Hapus or Alphonso mangoes which will ensure that the supply of the fruit will last till mid-June this year compared to the normal season which ends by mid-May.

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Mukund Joshi, director of the Hapus Amba Utpadak Vikreta Sahakari Sangh, a cooperative body of growers and sellers in Maharashtra’s Konkan coast, said their orchards have benefited from the rains in November as well as early February. “We have seen a second flowering, and those fruits would be market-ready by mid-May and last till June 15,” he said.

Maharashtra’s chief mango-growing areas include the districts of Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Raigad and some parts of Palghar and Thane. Joshi added that the rainfall has proved beneficial for all three Konkan districts. “The orchards in Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg and Raigad have all reported good flowering. After a bad season last year, this year the growers are upbeat about a good harvest. The mango orchards in Karnataka have reported moisture stress which would see their season getting over sooner than expected,” he pointed out.

At present, the price of Hapus mangoes from the Konkan in Pune and other wholesale markets is around Rs 500-600 per dozen. “Quality-wise, we got no complaints. We hope this price continues for the rest of the season which will allow farmers to earn good profits,” Joshi said.