SHUBHANGI SHIFA
Ranchi, April 4: The advent of summers inadvertently brings out heavy demand for mangoes in the city. However, similar to previous years, only mangoes imported from the southern Indian states are available in Ranchi markets presently.
A fruit vendor Vinod Kumar in the Sabzi market near the Kutchehry area said, “Very limited varieties of mangoes are available for sale in the city. Most readily available mangoes include Madrasi Langda, Lal Gulab, Safeda also known as Baiginpalli. The Madrasi Langa will cost you around Rs 160 – 180 per kg, while the Lal Gulab is for around Rs 260 per kg. Safeda is also available in limited numbers, however, due to less demand at present, it will cost around Rs 150 – 180.
Talking of Gulab Khas, Kumar said, “Even though the mangoes available at present are not so khas, which is why they are priced at around Rs 150 – 200 per kg, however, when the quality improves, their prices may go as high as Rs 500 – 600 per kg.”
Manzar Ahmed, a vendor of the Doranda Bazaar said, “Mangoes available at the moment include Palkulmain and Lalmuniya, both of which are priced at Rs 120 – 200 per kg.
Another vendor in the area, Arun Kumar said, “We have Lal Gulab and Alphonso available here. At the moment, Lal Gulab is priced at Rs 240 – 300, while the Alphonso, depending on its quality, may be priced up to Rs 1100 per dozen.
Informing of the import of mangoes, he said, “The season begins with mangoes from the southern states, which is then followed by Odisha, Bengal, Bihar and UP. The season usually ends with mangoes being imported from Sikunderabad, Pakistan.”