Mango farmers and traders in Maharashtra are worried this season as the popular Alphonso mangoes are facing a significant drop in production this season. There has been a 40 per cent reduction in fruit production due to warming weather, claimed the producers.
Mango requires colder conditions for flowering and fruiting, which occur during winter months. There were only four cold days in November and no significant cold days in December. The colder temperatures only dropped after mid-January, which is ideal for the inflorescence and fruiting of the plant.
Once the trees flower in November, it takes another three months for them to bear fruits. The fruits that we see in the market now are from the flowering in November. The ones that have flowered in January will reach the market in May.
Usually, the prices escalate during the beginning of the season once the produce enters the market. It reduces as the inflow of the produce increases.
Source: downtoearth.org.in