Krishnagiri: Around 800 containers of mango pulp worth Rs120 crore are stranded at sea and another two lakh tonnes of mango pulp worth Rs2,000 crore, which is meant for export, are stuck in various factories in Krishnagiri district owing to the unrest in West Asia.Krishnagiri district produces eight lakh tonnes of mangoes annually from 50,000 hectares. Out of this, four lakh tonnes are processed into mango pulp by 23 factories in the district. While 50% of the mango pulp is exported to US, Germany, Italy, Russia, China and Gulf countries such as Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, the remaining is sold in domestic market. According to an official source, it’s a Rs3,500 crore market, benefiting lakhs of farmers and workers. E Madhavan, general secretary, Krishnagiri District Pulp Processors’ Federation, said lakhs of tonnes of mango pulp cargo that left the ports in Thoothukudi, Chennai and Sri Lanka were stranded at sea because of the ongoing war. According to him, more than 800 containers, each weighing 20 tonnes and carrying Alphonso mango pulp, are stranded at sea. “Alphoso mango pulp is priced at Rs75,000 per tonne. February, March and April are the peak months for this business, and the war has completely shattered the business.” Madhavan said they were unable to export pulp to US, Germany and Italy as cargo ships have to pass through Jebel Ali port in Dubai, Sohar port in Oman and Hammad port in Qatar. “Ship operators have shut down their operations to all these destinations.” He said the ongoing war has badly affected the sale of mango pulp this year. “As a result, payments to mango farmers, and workers at factories are pending. Factories are finding it difficult to pay electricity bills and repay bank loans.” Mango juice factory owners have, meanwhile, put forward various demands, including a waiver of interest on loans and electricity bills, and compensation for the losses they faced.
