Mango traders are apprehensive that the steep rise in freight charges may hit the fruit exports from Chittoor district this season, a district that is famous for mango varieties. The Totapuri variety is extensively cultivated in Chittoor. According to an estimate, mangoes are grown on about 97,000 hectares in the district.
The freight charges for export of mangoes to foreign countries have gone up to Rs 570,000 per ton this year from Rs 270,000 last year. Traders used to export 300-400 tons of mangoes to foreign countries from Chittoor prior to the outbreak of the pandemic. Despite the pandemic, about 120 tons of mangoes were exported last year. Chittoor mango market also attracts traders from Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and other States, who want to import the fruit.
[ Rs 100 = €1.20 ]
