Mango pulp yield likely to decline this season
Updated: May 21, 2013 02:00:16pm
Chennai, May 21 (KNN) Drought-like conditions, higher costs and packaging expenses have led to a decline in the yield of mangoes and this is likely to affect mango pulp production this season which has just started in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
Mango pulp is used by drink makers not only in India but also in Europe and West Asia.
According to a media report, annually, Krishnagiri production cluster in Tamil Nadu and Chittoor region in Andhra Pradesh together yielded a volume of 4.5 lakh tonnes, accounting for over 80 per cent of India’s mango pulp production.
However, in the current season, although initial estimates based on flowering and fruit had been optimistic, delayed ripening and small size of fruits as a result of an extended dry spell have affected the yield.
Fruit yields are down by half, as per the estimates of Secretary, Krishmaa Cluster Development Society, H M Sathyamurthy. The cluster represents the processing industry in the region where over 40,000 ha of land is under mango cultivation.
The Krishnagiri cluster on the other hand, which includes a few units in the neighbouring Dharmapuri and Vellore districts has over 70 units of which only 40 are in operation; and the production from this cluster is estimated at 1.75 lakh tonnes.
Pulp yield is normally 50-55 per cent of fruit weight.
Packaging costs too have added to the challenge. It has become increasingly expensive for small units to package pulp in tin cans.
A report indicates that nearly 50 per cent of an 18.6 kg carton is the tin cost; each carton contains six tins of 3.1 kg each. While a carton fetched USD 12 last year, the prices for this year are yet to be fixed by the merchant exporters.
Some of the larger producers are going for aseptic packaging which involves packing mango pulp in 225 kg barrels. Nonetheless, traditional units have no option but to continue with tin packaging. (KNN)
Mango pulp is used by drink makers not only in India but also in Europe and West Asia.
According to a media report, annually, Krishnagiri production cluster in Tamil Nadu and Chittoor region in Andhra Pradesh together yielded a volume of 4.5 lakh tonnes, accounting for over 80 per cent of India’s mango pulp production.
However, in the current season, although initial estimates based on flowering and fruit had been optimistic, delayed ripening and small size of fruits as a result of an extended dry spell have affected the yield.
Fruit yields are down by half, as per the estimates of Secretary, Krishmaa Cluster Development Society, H M Sathyamurthy. The cluster represents the processing industry in the region where over 40,000 ha of land is under mango cultivation.
The Krishnagiri cluster on the other hand, which includes a few units in the neighbouring Dharmapuri and Vellore districts has over 70 units of which only 40 are in operation; and the production from this cluster is estimated at 1.75 lakh tonnes.
Pulp yield is normally 50-55 per cent of fruit weight.
Packaging costs too have added to the challenge. It has become increasingly expensive for small units to package pulp in tin cans.
A report indicates that nearly 50 per cent of an 18.6 kg carton is the tin cost; each carton contains six tins of 3.1 kg each. While a carton fetched USD 12 last year, the prices for this year are yet to be fixed by the merchant exporters.
Some of the larger producers are going for aseptic packaging which involves packing mango pulp in 225 kg barrels. Nonetheless, traditional units have no option but to continue with tin packaging. (KNN)
Loading...
