City welcomes season's first mangoes

About five-six lorries bring in mangoes to city markets every day right now, but it is better to wait until April 16 when at least 25 lorries would arrive, as they would be of better quality, said VR Soundararajan, a veteran wholesale trader at the Koyambedu market.

“Sometimes sellers are in a hurry and try to sell of raw mangoes to customers who are eagerly waiting for mangoes. People should wait for a few more weeks to buy fully ripe ones,” he revealed.   

The influx will increase only in the coming weeks, and would double by May, with 45 lorries are expected to reach Koyambedu market daily. This would include Banganapalli, Neelam and eight other sought-after varieties, said Soundararajan, adding, “Only five per cent of the actual influx has started. It will hit 100 per cent only in May.” Meanwhile, for the next three weeks, sellers are urging customers to buy other fruits like sweet lime, watermelons, pineapples and grapes, the prices of which have reduced due to higher production this season.

Anandraj, a fruit seller at Koyambedu, said, “Sweet limes are at peak season now, and are selling at Rs 80 per kg, down from Rs 110. Every day, at least 30 lorries are coming in.”