Pune: Season’s First Box of Mangoes Arrives in the City; Auctioned for Rs. 31000
Pune witnessed the grand arrival of the season’s first batch of Kesar mangoes at the Market Yard Fruit Market, marked by a record-breaking auction. A premium box containing five dozen mangoes from the orchard of farmer Saad Mulla in Devgad was sold for an impressive ₹31,000, surpassing last year’s auction prices.
The mangoes were brought to Pune by trader and Market Yard director Aniruddha alias Bapu Bhosale, with the auction conducted in the presence of senior BJP leader Baba Misal and other prominent local traders. Businessman Raosaheb Kunjir emerged as the highest bidder for the prized box.
Konkan Mangoes Remain a Pune Favorite
While Alphonso mangoes from Konkan have long been a favorite among Punekars, this year’s mango season saw Kesar mangoes taking the spotlight. Traditionally grown in Gujarat, Kesar mangoes are now being cultivated extensively in Konkan, with favorable climatic conditions boosting production and resulting in early arrivals.
The regular supply of Alphonso mangoes is expected to begin from March 15, as weather changes have delayed their arrival this year.
APMC Intensifies Crackdown on Fake Mango Sales
To safeguard consumers from counterfeit mangoes, the Pune Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) has intensified inspections. Special teams have been deployed to monitor mango consignments and impose penalties on traders found selling fake Alphonso mangoes. In 2024, APMC officials confiscated counterfeit Alphonsos from three traders attempting to pass off South Indian mangoes as premium Konkan varieties.
Festive Start to Mango Season
The auction event was attended by dignitaries including Market Committee Fruit and Vegetable Department Head Balasaheb Konde and All Pune Flower Market Traders Association President Arun Veer, along with traders like Yuvraj Kachi, Gaurav Ghule, Rohan Jadhav, and Balbhim Majalgave.
Speaking on the occasion, both Bhosale and Majalgave emphasized the significance of this year’s early Kesar mango arrival, highlighting the potential for a bountiful harvest in the coming weeks.
