High summer temperatures have been worrying mango growers and exporters in Karnataka State; the rising heat has not only affected fruit size but also brought production down by around 200,000 tons. Since this year is the “On Season” (year of good yield), mango production was expected to be 1.4 million tonnes, compared to last year's 8-900,000 tonnes.
Smaller mangoes are not suitable for export. Fruit meant for exports should weigh between 200 and 450 grams and varies for alphonso, dasheri, badami and mallika. Most alphonso mangoes come from Ramanagaram, Kolar, Dharwad and Belagavi and each fruit should weigh at least 200 grams. “These areas have experienced extreme heat, bringing down the size of some fruits and production in some trees,” said M Kamalakshi Rajanna, chairperson of the Karnataka State Mango Development and Marketing Corporation.
“We do not want to cut down on exports this year, especially when the ban has been revoked and production is good. The demand for mangoes has also started. The summer heat has also ensured that the fruit is sweeter. Thus, some of the fruits which weigh less will be diverted for domestic consumption and those with proper weight and free of infection will be exported,” she added.
There is a demand for dasheri, mallika and malgova in the USA. European and Gulf countries are major markets for alphonso, while alphonso and dasheri are in demand in Malaysia. Initial treatment of mangoes, based on the export destination, has already started. USA and Malaysia demand gamma irradiation treatment for mangoes while Japan demands vapour heat treatment. These special treatments are in addition to basic hot water, fruit fly disinfection, packaging, labelling and palletisation and ripening chamber treatments. In the domestic market, the mangoes are in demand for canning, pulping, pickling and slicing, she said.
Karnataka is one of the top three mango producing states after Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. In Karnataka, mango is grown on 200,000 hectares.
