Mango farmers are happy this year as the sale of mangoes has been robust in Salem, though exports to the West Asian countries have been are hit by the Iran war.

While the Salem market sells mangoes from Nangavalli, Jalakandapuram, Mecheri, and Tharamangalam in the district, most of the arrivals are from the neighbouring districts of Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri. Every year, the mango season starts in the second week of March and ends in July. The peak season is from the second week of April to the second week of June.

Amid the peak season, the arrival of mangoes has increased in the Salem market and many roadside shops have started to sell the fruit. Retail traders too have been buying mangoes from wholesale traders in Chinna Kadai Veethi, and First and Second Agraharam in Salem Town.

J. Srinivasan, a wholesale dealer at First Agraharam, said that this year, the harvesting of mangoes was not impeded by any particular factor in Salem, Dharmapuri, and Krishnagiri districts. Compared with last year, this year’s yield and harvest were good and the fruits were quite tasty too, he explained.

At present, 50 to 100 metric tonnes of mangoes arrive at the Salem market per day. In a good season, the arrivals usually increase to 150 metric tonnes, Mr. Srinivasan added.

The good yield was also complemented by strong sales, he said. Mr. Srinivasan added that people were buying mangoes and sales figures were good so far this year. He noted that at present, Salem Bengalura, Imam Pasand, Bengalura, Senthura, Alphonso, Malgova, Nadusalai, and Totapuri varieties were reaching the market.

Varieties such as Senthura, Bengalura, and Totapuri were being sold for ₹50 per kg; Alphonso and Nadusalai were sold for ₹50 to ₹150 per kg based on size; and Imam Pasand, Malgova, and Salem Bengalura were being sold for ₹200 per kg.

The only negative this season was the decline in international orders, Mr. Srinivasan claimed.

“Every year during the mango season, from my shop alone, we export about 10 to 15 metric tonnes of Alphonso mangoes to West Asian countries. However, due to the war this year,we have not received even a single order from there this year,” he explained.