Price of Totapuri mangoes has crashed to ₹5-₹6 per kilogram,pushing district officials in Chittoor to act fast. Collector Sumit Kumar said Thursday they're working to secure better prices for farmers relying on this crop,as demand has nosedived.
Past month,officials have been talking with exporters,big processing firms like Coca-Cola and Pepsi. Talks showed both companies sitting on large mango pulp stocks,enough to last till January or February. Result: less need for fresh mango buys . “Main reason for price drop is reduced market demand,” Kumar explained.
Also, exports to Saudi Arabia and Oman have dipped,squeezing market more . Rising cultivation costs add to farmers' woes. Collector noted most processors are trying to help farmers,but some have cut prices, hurting market overall.
Kumar stressed need for coordination between pulp units,farmers to stabilize prices. He's cautiously optimistic things might get better in next ten days as stocks shrink,consumption possibly rises. Can district turn it around for these farmers…?
