Guntur: Pedda Rasalu beyond reach of common man

Guntur: Come Summer! The king of fruits is once again ready beckoning the food connoisseurs with its large number of varieties. One of the most sought after variety, the juicy Pedda Rasalu mango variety appears to be beyond the reach of common man this year. A dozen Pedda Rasalu are being offered at Rs.600 to Rs.700 in Guntur fruit market. Depending upon the quality and size, the traders are fixing the price and selling.

Due to high price of this variety very few consumers are purchasing the Pedda Rasalu variety of mangoes. The arrival of the Pedda Rasalu is also very less in quantity so far. If season picks up, the prices are expected to come down, aver the fruit vendors.

The wholesale businessmen are getting the mangoes from Vijayawada city and selling in the local market. Compared to last year, Pedda Rasalu price is hiked by 10 per cent to 12 per cent. Pedda Rasalu variety which was previously sold at Rs.500 to Rs.550 are now selling at Rs.600 to Rs.700 a dozen.

Consumers feel that at the beginning of the season both the varieties Pedda Rasalu or Chinna Rasalu, the smaller juicy one are not that sweet. Anyway very few people are buying them knowing full well that they are not tasty at this point of time.

Similarly, Kobbari Mamidi variety of mango is selling each at Rs.80. Hawkers sell Kobbari Mamidi by cutting it into pieces at the rate of Rs. 5 a piece thus making a lot of money.

China Rasalu variety of mango is used for pickles and sold at Rs. 20 to Rs. 25 each.

A mango vendor, P Shivaiah, said, "Mango harvesting has just begun now and naturally the arrivals are less. Mango arrivals will increase after Ugadi. If arrivals increase, the price of mango will come down. Mango season will be three months from April. Due to high price of Pedda Rasalu, the consumers are not willing to buy them. Some consumers buy two or three mangoes only. If rates come down, they will buy in dozens."

Another mango vendor Mohammad Jani said, "Common man is not in a position to purchase Pedda Rasalu at Rs. 600 to Rs.700 a dozen.We will get good quality of tasty mangoes after one month. At present there is demand for mangoes used for pickles."