Crash of mango prices: Karnataka CM writes to Centre seeking urgent procurement of fruit from growers

A file photo of people checking out mangoes. Mango is one of the major horticultural crops in Karnataka, cultivated mostly in Bengaluru Rural, Urban, Chikkaballapur, Kolar and Bengaluru South (Ramanagara) districts, with an estimated production of 8-10 lakh tonnes during the Rabi season | Photo Credit: Murali Kumar K

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has appealed to the Centre to take urgent steps to help mango farmers of the State, as fruit prices have dropped sharply this season, causing financial loss to growers.

Mango prices plummeted from ₹12,000 per quintal to ₹3,000, Mr Siddaramaiah said.

In a letter to Union Minister for Agriculture Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Mr. Siddaramaiah, who was Delhi on June 13, requested the Centre to start a Price Deficiency Payment and Market Intervention scheme, and start immediate procurement though Central agencies, such as NAFED and NCCF, to support farmers and stop further distress in rural areas.

He urged the Union Minister to issue directions to Central agencies to begin buying mangoes at fair prices to make sure farmers get at least their basic cost. “This support will save farmers from facing more financial losses, and protect their income during this hard time.”

“Mango is one of the major horticultural crops in Karnataka, cultivated over an area of 1.39 lakh hectares, particularly in Bengaluru Rural, Urban, Chikkaballapur, Kolar and Bengaluru South (Ramanagara) districts, with an estimated production of 8-10 lakh tonnes during the Rabi season,” he wrote.

The Chief Minister wrote: “During the peak harvest season of May to July, heavy market arrivals have led to unsustainable price fluctuations. Market prices, which earlier hovered around ₹12,000 per quintal, have plummeted to as low as ₹3,000 per quintal, while the Karnataka State Agriculture Price Commission has calculated the cost of cultivation as ₹5,466 per quintal. This sharp mismatch between production cost and market realisation has placed the farming community under acute financial stress.”

The Chief Minister said thousands of small mango farmers are facing hige losses, and cannot even cover the basic farming cost.

Mr. Siddaramaiah warned that farmers’ protests are rising, and the situation could become worse if quick action is not taken.

“Thousands of small and marginal mango growers are unable to recover even their basic input costs, leading to widespread protests and growing agrarian anxiety. Unless prompt and effective intervention is undertaken, this crisis may lead to serious economic consequences in the region,” states the letter addressed to the Union Minister.

Published - June 13, 2025 02:22 pm IST