Higher mango output may keep prices reined in this year

NEW DELHI: Mango prices are unlikely to "soar" this year as production is expected to be 2.1 per cent higher at 18.91 lakh tonnes (LT) in the 2015-16 crop year ending June, Parliament was informed today.

Production of Mango was 18.52 LT in the previous year.

"In view of higher production in the current year, it is unlikely that the prices of mango will soar in the domestic markets," Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

According to the information received from the states so far, "there is likely to be an increase of 2.1 per cent in mango production in the current year 2015-16, as compared to the previous year," he said.

Except for Telangana which has reported decrease in mango production due to unseasonal rains and hot weather, the output in other states is likely to be "either normal or better" than previous year, he added.

Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh together account for about half of the total mango production in India. Of over 1,300 varieties of mangoes grown across the world, India alone cultivates over 1,000 varieties of the fruit.

The UAE is the top export destination for India's mangoes accounting for over 50 per cent share followed by UK and Saudi Arabia.