Mango season has arrived in Birmingham. These mangoes aren't the large green variety you get all year round; these are the bright orange Indian and Pakistani varieties that run for a very short season.
In early summer, a glut of Alphonso, which many regard as the supreme, and most juicy of all mangoes, arrives in the UK for a very short window. By April, a crop of Alphonso arrives in England, followed by the Kesar variety, then Dusheri and Langra until late summer.
"Stock comes in on Friday, by Monday it's all gone. People pre-book mango boxes on the app or over the phone, or they come in and collect it in person," one seller explained.
During Covid, fewer freight flights to the UK increased the prices of mangoes, and many consumers had to go without, or pay a premium. However, costs have since stabilized, and a box of 12 Alphonso will set you back £18.99, the standard price for the highly-coveted fruit.
Source: birminghammail.co.uk