Raw Mango Price Volatility Disrupts Pickle Trade in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh

Raw mango price volatility is disrupting the seasonal pickle trade in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, with farmers, vendors, and wholesalers reporting inconsistent pricing and shrinking margins. While farmgate prices range from ₹30 to ₹50 per kg, street vendors in Hyderabad cite prices between ₹15 and ₹25 per piece, with fluctuations of up to ₹6 per kg compared to last year, disrupting a trade tied to summer demand.

Supply chain pressures and rising input costs are deepening the strain. Exporters of mango pickle to West Asia, particularly the UAE, face disrupted shipments due to flight cancellations linked to the Iran-Israel conflict, according to Aslam Khan, a Mehdipatnam vendor. Wholesale traders like Mohammad Mosin of MM Market in Erragadda cite limited stock and higher transport costs for smaller consignments as drivers of price instability.

Input costs for spices and oil have surged, further squeezing producers. Srinivas, an independent pickle maker in Alwal, said chillies have risen from ₹100 to ₹160 per kg and cooking oil prices have increased by over 50% year-on-year. Despite steady consumer demand for hygienic, homemade-style pickles, profit margins remain thin. The peak harvest season began May 1, with varieties like Totapuri, Rasalu, and Kesari in circulation.

Officials and market observers expect prices to stabilize by mid-June as supply volumes increase, though export-dependent producers await resolution of air freight disruptions. The TelanganaFDI and agricultural cooperatives are monitoring the situation ahead of the next price review meeting scheduled for May 15.