Volatile raw mango prices cloud pickle season

As summer advances, mangoes — both raw and ripened — dominate Telangana’s markets, with raw mango pickle once again becoming a seasonal staple across households in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The pickle trade not only sustains tradition but also generates scattered seasonal business for farmers. Yet, this year, volatile raw mango prices have unsettled vendors, farmers, and pickle makers alike.

The story of Telangana’s mango season this year is not just about taste and tradition. It reflects fragile supply chains, rising costs, and the precarious economics of a fruit that defines summer. For vendors, wholesalers, and pickle makers, the volatility of raw mango prices is compounded by global disruptions and local challenges. For farmers, the uncertainty is pushing them toward diversification, even away from mangoes.

While street vendors at Erragadda rythu bazaars report a ₹5–6 hike compared to last year, the vendors at Mehdipatnam Bazaar said it decreased by ₹5-6.

Aslam Khan, a seller in Mehdipatnam, said raw mangoes now range between ₹15–25 per piece, while ripened mangoes fetch ₹100 per kg. Much of the supply comes from Guntur. However, sales have dipped. He said that export of pickles to West Asia, particularly to the UAE, have been disrupted due to flight cancellations linked to the Iran–Israel conflict, cutting into profits.

Wholesale traders echo similar concerns. Mohammad Mosin from MM Market, Erragadda, attributes the price jump to limited stock and rising transport costs for smaller consignments. Uday Kiran, a hawker at Alwal rythu bazaar, says a 100-kg bag costs ₹3,000, yielding only a 20% margin.

Independent pickle sellers face a different challenge. Srinivas, who sources mangoes locally, notes that while raw mango prices have eased slightly to ₹18–20 per kg this year, the real burden lies in soaring input costs. “Last year, chillies cost ₹100 per kg; now they’re ₹160. Oil prices too have shot up by more than a half,” he says, pointing out that these essentials amplify production costs more than mango prices themselves.

“The mango pickle market is witnessing steady demand this season, driven by traditional preferences and growing interest in homemade varieties. Rising raw material costs have influenced prices, but consumers are willing to pay more for better quality and hygienic preparation. Factors such as freshness of mangoes, purity of spices and oil, and shelf life are becoming important considerations for buyers,” says Ms. Cherukuri Sree Durga, a resident of Old Alwal.

The present farmgate prices of raw mangoes is between ₹30 and ₹50 per kg. The harvest season of raw mangoes begins from around May 1. “Some of the prominent varieties of raw mangoes used for making pickles include rasalu, kothapalli kobbari, totapuri. The prices of raw mangoes are a little higher than the ripened fruits. Banginapally variety was sold for ₹20-30 per kg, dasheri for ₹25-35 and Kesari for around ₹45-50,” said Mitpally Prathap Reddy, a farmer from Jagtial. 

(The writers are interns at The Hindu, Hyderabad)