Mango Glut in Pune’s Market Yard: Surging Supply Slashes Prices, Leaves Farmers Struggling

Pune’s Mango Market Overflows with Surplus as Farmers Face Financial Strain

Over the past two weeks, Pune’s bustling Market Yard has become a hub of fruity abundance, particularly with mangoes. A massive influx of popular varieties such as Alphonso, Kesar, and Langda has flooded the wholesale market, creating a paradise for mango lovers—but a nightmare for local farmers.

This unexpected glut is the result of several converging factors:

• Favorable Weather Patterns: Maharashtra’s mango-growing regions benefited from ideal conditions this season, including steady rainfall and optimal temperatures. These climate factors led to a bumper harvest, especially in the Konkan and Marathwada belts.
• Synchronized Ripening: Unusually, many orchards saw their mango crops ripen earlier and at the same time. This synchronized harvesting has caused a massive supply surge in a short window, overwhelming wholesale markets.
• Improved Logistics and Transportation: Enhanced road connectivity and efficient supply chains have allowed mangoes to be transported more quickly and in larger volumes from farms to cities like Pune. As a result, the Market Yard is receiving more stock than ever on a daily basis.

Due to the oversupply, wholesale prices have plummeted by 30% to 40% compared to last month. In some cases, rates have hit their lowest point in several years. For example, Alphonso mangoes, which once fetched premium rates, are now being sold at prices accessible to the average household.

Consumers Celebrate, Farmers Despair

While consumers are reveling in the affordability and abundance of their favorite summer fruit, the story on the other side of the supply chain is far less cheerful. For mango farmers, the price crash has created a serious economic strain.

Reduced Profit Margins:
Many farmers, especially those who invested in fertilizers, pesticides, labor, and transport, are seeing minimal returns—or even losses. Lower selling prices have undercut any potential profit margins.

Intense Competition:
With every grower trying to sell their produce quickly before it spoils, the competition among sellers has intensified. This has put small and marginal farmers at a distinct disadvantage, as they often lack bargaining power.

Post-Harvest Losses:
Mangoes are highly perishable. Unsold fruit quickly turns bad, especially in the current heat. This spoilage adds to the financial losses farmers are already facing due to price reductions.

In response to the crisis, several farmer organizations have begun calling for government support. Suggestions include:

• Implementing a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for mangoes.
• Initiating direct procurement through state-run agricultural bodies like NAFED.
• Offering logistics subsidies for transport and cold storage.

Mango Paradise for Pune Residents

On the bright side, for the people of Pune, the market has become a summer dream. Households are buying in bulk to enjoy mangoes in every form—eating them fresh, making pickles, or blending them into smoothies. Local sweet shops and juice stalls are also taking advantage, offering discounts on mango-based items like aamras, milkshakes, and ice creams.

Premium varieties that were once beyond reach for many—like Alphonso—are now being consumed by a wider section of the population.

What Lies Ahead

Market analysts suggest that:

• Prices are expected to remain low for the next few weeks unless supply drops or demand drastically increases.
• Mango quality may vary in the coming days, especially as late-season harvests begin entering the market.
• Farmers may shift their focus toward creating value-added products such as mango pulp, jam, chutneys, and pickles to compensate for fresh fruit losses.

If the supply glut continues, authorities may consider export incentives or emergency relief packages to stabilize the sector and prevent long-term damage to mango cultivators.

Lessons from the Glut

This year’s mango situation underscores a recurring issue in India’s agricultural economy—imbalances between supply, demand, and market readiness. Experts suggest:

• Improved crop planning and coordination among regions could prevent such gluts.
• Investment in food processing infrastructure and cold chains would help reduce post-harvest losses.
• Educating consumers on responsible buying and food preservation could curb unnecessary wastage.

In essence, while the streets of Pune are currently awash with juicy, affordable mangoes, the scene at the farmer level is sobering. A solution that benefits both consumers and cultivators is the need of the hour.