Panaji: The prized Mancurad mangoes made their seasonal debut in Goan markets, with early arrivals commanding prices as high as Rs 5,000 per dozen in Panaji. Traders said the premium pricing is typical at the start of the season, when supply is limited and demand among mango enthusiasts remains high. Prices are expected to moderate as arrivals increase in the coming weeks. Last year, the variant was priced at Rs 6,000 per dozen.After the post-monsoon rainfall stopped by Oct, there was a brief spell of cold temperatures in Nov and Dec, followed by chilly winter nights in Jan, a pattern that is ideal for mango flowering. Even during the day, Goa experienced relatively cooler temperatures, which is believed to have contributed to profuse flowering of mango trees.Places such as Siolim, Calangute, Morjim and Morjim, however, experienced more stress due to the cold and dew, and the mango flowers were prone to insect attacks.“Overall, the crop is very good this season because this time the trees bloomed almost 100%, with even the trees where we were not expecting to flower, blooming bountifully,” said mango farmer Rajesh Dhargalkar. “It is also possible that some of these mangoes may have been plucked by farmers earlier than usual for fear of being attacked by birds and rodents,” he said.Vendors said that the market is missing the usual buzz despite the arrival of Mancurad mangoes due to the high price. “The local buyers have figured out the pattern and now most of them snub the fruit until peak summer,” said fruit vendor Nisar Nandihaldi.“By April, the minimum price is likely to be Rs 1,000 per dozen; however, prices are expected to come down to Rs 500 per dozen by May. The common man may therefore have to wait a few months before getting their hands on the King of fruits,” said another vendor.
