Mango – Late-Season Punasa Harvest Brings Fresh Hope for Prakasam Growers
Mango –After several challenging seasons, mango growers in Andhra Pradesh’s Prakasam district are finally seeing encouraging returns as the late-season Punasa variety attracts strong demand in major markets. Farmers in the Ulavapadu and Gudluru regions say improved prices have renewed confidence after earlier crops failed to generate satisfactory earnings.
Strong Festival Demand Lifts Market Sentiment
The Punasa mango, harvested after the regular mango season, is witnessing increased demand ahead of Kerala’s Onam festival. The fruit is widely used in traditional festive recipes, prompting traders from Kerala to place large purchase orders every year. This seasonal demand has strengthened prices and created better marketing opportunities for growers.
The regular mango harvesting period generally extends from March to June. Once that season concludes, farmers begin supplying the late Punasa crop to wholesale markets in cities such as Chennai, Bengaluru, and other major trading centres. The approach of Onam has further improved buying activity, resulting in steady movement of produce.
Farmers Recover After Earlier Price Disappointment
According to tenant farmer Srinivasa Rao from Tangutur, the first half of this year’s mango season brought little financial relief. Popular varieties, including Banginapalli and Bengaluru mangoes grown across nearly 5,000 acres, were purchased by traders at only Rs 60 to Rs 70 per kilogram, leaving many growers with limited returns.
He noted that the current market situation is far more encouraging, with the Punasa variety securing better prices. The improvement comes after farmers endured consecutive years of financial strain caused by difficult weather conditions and other natural challenges that affected production during the 2023-24 season.
Better Prices Renew Confidence Among Growers
Local farmer Venkata Ramana from Ulavapadu said traders are presently offering around Rs 50 per kilogram, equivalent to nearly Rs 50,000 per tonne, for quality Punasa mangoes. The improved pricing has encouraged growers who had struggled through previous seasons and were uncertain about future returns.
He added that shipments ranging from five to ten tonnes have been dispatched daily to Chennai and Bengaluru markets over the past several days. The steady movement of produce reflects healthy demand from wholesalers preparing for the upcoming festive period.
Expectations Remain Positive Ahead of Onam
With Onam celebrations scheduled for the end of August, farmers believe demand for Punasa mangoes could strengthen even further in the coming weeks. Traders are expected to continue sourcing larger quantities as festival-related purchases increase, potentially providing additional support to market prices.
After nearly three years of uncertainty and disappointing earnings, growers in the Ulavapadu region are entering the late-season market with renewed optimism. Many hope that the combination of festive demand, improved prices, and stable market conditions will help them recover a portion of the losses experienced in previous seasons and provide a more sustainable income before the agricultural cycle concludes.