Mancurad mangoes sell for Rs 3k per dozen

Panaji: Even as prices of Mancurad mangoes have eased to around Rs 3,000 per dozen in retail markets, shoppers and traders say the fruit remains expensive. The variety, which opened the season at Rs 5,000 per dozen, fell to Rs 4,000 last week before the latest drop.Local vendors say the price drop has not eased the strain on buyers. “Even at Rs 3,000, many customers hesitate to buy. People are waiting for rates to fall further, but we don’t have enough stock to lower prices drastically,” said Nisar Nandihaldi, a fruit vendor in Panaji.Farmers blame slow yields for keeping prices high. “The Mancurad crop this year is better than expected, however, the overall production may still not meet local demand yet.

We hoped for higher production given the extended winter season, and there was good flowering and fruiting, yet the fruit is costly as the numbers are still small,” said a grower from Sattari.Buyers also feel the pinch. “I usually buy a dozen for the family, but even Rs 3,000 is a lot. We end up buying fewer fruits than we acutally want,” said Sunita Borkar, a housewife.The Mancurad’s price dynamics differ from other varieties, which remain more affordable. While Alphonso mangoes are priced at Rs 1,400 per dozen, Lalbag mangoes sell at Rs 700 per dozen, Neelam mangoes at varying rates, and Totapuri mangoes at about Rs 120 per kg. “Mancurad is still considered a premium variety in Goa. Limited production combined with strong demand in local markets keeps prices high. Buyers may have to wait for at least three more weeks before prices fall,” said a vendor.