Mumbai: The mango season has already arrived at the biggest wholesale market in Mumbai, the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) in Vashi, Navi Mumbai. However, some traders are warning consumers about fake Konkan Alphonso mangoes circulating in the market.
The issue has escalated, with the popular Konkan Alphonso being replaced by inferior-quality mangoes from Karnataka. Customers are unknowingly paying higher prices for these cheaper mangoes simply because they look similar.
The APMC wholesale market in Vashi handles over one lakh boxes of Alphonso mangoes every day. Of these, approximately 80,000 boxes are sourced from regions like Devgad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, and Raigad. The raw Konkan Alphonsos are priced between Rs 1,500 and Rs 3,500 per crate, which translates to Rs 400 to Rs 800 per dozen in the wholesale market. These mangoes are then sold in the retail market at prices ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,800 per dozen, according to a report by Hindustan Times.
Karnataka Alphonso mangoes are priced much lower, ranging from Rs 60 to Rs 120 per kg in the wholesale market. Around 15,000 to 20,000 boxes of these mangoes are imported daily, mainly from Karnataka, along with some from Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. In the retail market, they are priced between Rs 400 and Rs 500 per dozen.
A Konkan Alphonso seller urged consumers to specifically ask for Konkan Alphonso mangoes, saying, "If that's what you want, make sure to ask for Konkan Alphonso and clearly state that you don't want the Southern variety," as per report.
Traders Reveal Key Differences Between Devgad & Karnataka Alphonso Mangoes
As the mango season reaches its peak, the market is flooded with various varieties of Alphonso mangoes, mainly from Maharashtra's Devgad region and Karnataka. Although both are labelled as Alphonso or ‘Hapus’, fruit traders point out significant differences in quality, aroma, and price. Some retailers, however, are taking advantage of unsuspecting customers by selling the less expensive Karnataka mangoes at inflated prices.
