The Alphonso Mango is one of the best varieties of the Mangoes that are grown in India. These Mangoes are known as ‘Hapoos’ in India. Because of its sweetness, smooth texture and the pleasant flavor this mango is considered as the King of Indian mangoes and needless to say that this is one of the most expensive mangoes available in India.
The Alphonso mangoes are grown in western parts of India in the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat. Since this fruit does have a shelf life of about seven days and widely liked all over the World, it is exported to the
United States and the European countries in large quantities from India.Because of this the Alphonso mangoes are very expensive in India and they are always out of the reach of a common man. Since many other varieties of mangoes are grown in India which are less expensive and available in abundance, the common man in India is happy with these varieties.
Indian Government together with the Mango exporters is making good money by exporting the Alphonso mangoes to the United States and to the European countries.
But this year since the European Union has banned the import of this fruit in the European countries the mangoes grown for the purpose of exports are dumped as surplus in the warehouses of the Mango exporters.
According to the European Union it has been observed that the Alphonso mangoes imported into the European countries were found to have infested with Indian fruit flies and as per them they can be dangerous pests to European agriculture.
Such ban was already imposed in the past in the year 1989 by the United States for the similar reason. But the ban was lifted in
the year 2007 with a condition that the Alphonso mangoes meant for export to the United States are supposed to be treated against the fruit flies, fungus and other pests which may cause damage to Crops in US and has to pass the quality control.Now, with this ban by the European Union, India would incur a loss of about six million pounds as every year it exports around 16 millions of Alphonso mangoes to European countries.
Since mangoes are perishable goods and they can’t be stored for a longer time, the exporters are left with no other option with them except for selling their produce in the local market. Naturally as per the Law of Demand and Supply, the abundant availability of this fruit in the market has made the exporters to sell their produce at a throw away price under duress.
This product of theirs which was considered as a luxury for the common man of India has to create its own place in the Indian Mango market as the market will be fully flooded with the local varieties to cater the needs of common people which they have been doing for last so many years now.
Though the exporters and Government of India are incurring the loss of money in foreign exchequer, the common man of India will be happy to enjoy this ‘unreachable’ fruit at a very nominal price this year! Thanks!
