Malda mango exports drop, farmers got better prices in domestic market

Mango exports from West Bengal's Malda district have been affected this year as exporters could not get remunerative prices from foreign buyers. Officials said on Saturday that mango sellers are getting good prices in the domestic market. Importers from the UK and UAE had initially shown interest, but exports could not take place due to non-agreement on prices.

Around 17 tonnes of Malda mangoes were sold between Rs 100 and Rs 150 per kg at an expo in Delhi. Wholesale prices have increased by 50-80 percent, due to low production and high quality.

"This year buyers from the UK and Dubai did not agree to our prices," said Samanta Layak, deputy director of horticulture, Malda. Layak said that there has been a 60 percent decline in production this year. The reason for this is heat waves and untimely rains. Production stood at 2.2 lakh tonnes as against 3.79 lakh tonnes in 2023.

However, Malda mangoes received a good response at the Delhi Mango Festival. Layak said, "Malda mangoes were sold between Rs 100 and Rs 150 per kg."

Ujjwal Saha, general secretary of West Bengal Exporters Coordination Committee, said that the first phase shipment of 1300 kg of Himsagar variety of mangoes had progressed, but prices could not be agreed in the final stage.

Malda sellers have not been able to export mangoes for the last two years. This year too the effort could not succeed.

Saha said that mango growers need more support from the government. This includes pesticide management and better processing and storage facilities.

Varieties like Fazli, Himsagar, Laxmanbhog, Lengda and Amrapali are available in Malda. Himsagar mango is famous for its sweetness and Lengda for its aroma.