Trichy: Stung by the lukewarm demand for mangoes so far, sellers and growers are now pinning hopes on the Neelam and Kallamani varieties to revive their fortunes. Both started arriving in shops in the city only in the last few days though they usually hit the market in early June and are seen till July-end.Despite the delayed arrival, the sales of these are expected to pick up over the next few weeks thanks to their relatively low price — both are available at around Rs 15 a kilogram. The significant dip in yield this year had led to erratic pricing of mangoes, thereby affecting the sales. The price of popular varieties including Imampasanth, Banganapalle and Senthoora increased by Rs 30 to Rs 40 per kilogram compared to 2017. According to Trichy Ilangu Mangai Traders Association head K T Thangaraj, the sales of mangoes garnered very lukewarm response this year leaving many vendors in a state of bother. “Compared to last year, the supply of mangoes has slumped by 30 to 40% which left us with no choice but to increase the prices. Hence, the sales have taken a major hit,” he said and added that small-time vendors in particular had incurred heavy losses.Thangaraj, though, remained upbeat claiming that the sales of Neelam and Kallamani had got off to a good start. “These varieties are now available in decent numbers in many shops and since they cost less, the demand is good. Hopefully, the sales will gradually increase in the last 20-30 days of the mango season,” he told TOI. Proprietor of Original Sriman Thathachariyar mango shop and nursery garden, Sathish, said that Kallamani variety, in particular, could help recover the losses for wholesale sellers. “Kallamani is the one which is predominantly used to prepare mango juice at shops,” he said.On the other hand, another vendor said that the crackdown on artificially ripened mangoes by food safety department officials a few weeks ago had brought about a further downfall in their sales. “Though it is true that some resort to artificial ripening beyond the prescribed limit, sometimes it is practically impossible for us vendors to wait for natural ripening. A lot of mangoes, which were ready for sales, went unused,” the vendor said.A surprise raid by the food safety department had led to the seizure of 3.5 tonnes of artificially ripened mangoes from godowns at the Gandhi market on May 29. These varieties are expected to be in the market till July end.

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