Auction of kesar mangoes at Talala, the largest market yard for this variety of the ‘king of fruits’, will begin on May 1. The auction for the current season has been delayed by 12 days because of huge damage to crops. Traders expect higher prices due to limited crop production and concerns about crop quality this year.
Crop loss
RAJKOT: Inclement weather that is dumping rain and hail in several parts of Saurashtra for the past 10-12 days has hit the kesar mango production in Junagadh, Gir-Somnath and Amreli districts.
While kesar mangoes have started trickling in the markets, farmers say there is a huge loss in the crop this year due to the climate change effect. The recent rain and hail have only added to the woes.
Farmers fear a loss of around 40% in these three districts, which grow maximum kesar mangoes. Last year they were hit by the cyclonic condition that prevailed around the time of fruiting and later the Covid-induced lockdown.