Sweet deal: Alphonso prices fall 50% in Dubai

Prices of Alphonso mangoes, known as the ‘king of fruits’, have dropped by almost 50 per cent in Dubai in the last 15 days.

Union Co-operative is selling a kilogram of Alphonso for Dh10.90, while Lulu and Carrefour are selling for Dh13.95 per kg, according to Sallety.(www.sallety.ae).

Hypermarkets in Dubai were selling the fruit for Dh25 per kg early April.

“We were selling Alphonso for Dh25 per kg in the second week of April but we are now selling it at 14 per kg,” an official from Al Madina Supermarket told Emirates 24|7.

According to traders, there has been an increase in supply of mango consignments since the past two weeks, leading to drop in prices.

It was reported earlier that the 28-member European Union had imposed the ban, effective May 1, on import of the Alphonso mangoes after finding unwanted pests such as "non-European fruit flies" in consignments.

The EU ban affects 16 million tonnes of mangoes. India, the world's largest exporter, sells up to 70,000 tonnes of various mango varieties globally.

But exporters told AFP other buyers in the Gulf and the Asia-Pacific region are looking at buying Indian mangoes.

Indian media reported that the EU ban had led to a mango surplus in the local markets, driving down prices to fruit lovers' delight.

For mango lovers, the price fall is just enough to buy the ‘king of fruits’, more frequently.

Rashmi Singh, a resident of Al Barsha, says: “My family loves mangoes. We paid nearly Dh27 per kg in early April, but now prices are falling. There is no premium anymore, it’s become affordable and we are buying almost every day.”

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