Kushaiguda brims with raw mangoes

Kushaiguda brims with raw mangoes
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Highlights

The Kushaiguda market transforms during the mango season and wears a festive look. More than 50,000 tonnes of raw mangoes land at the market every day. For 50-odd sellers who leave their other jobs for about a month, the mango season brings in the much-needed income.

Kushaiguda: The Kushaiguda market transforms during the mango season and wears a festive look. More than 50,000 tonnes of raw mangoes land at the market every day. For 50-odd sellers who leave their other jobs for about a month, the mango season brings in the much-needed income.

Each seller brings raw mangoes that are used to make the famed Avakai pickle from Mir Alam Mandi, Kothapet and Old Bowenpally and every seller has a stock of about 100 to 200 kg. Lalitha, who has been selling raw mangoes for several years at the same spot says, “The supply has increased this year but the price too has gone up. Last year if a mango was priced at Rs 15, this year it is Rs 20.”

When asked about the impact of rise in prices? People who used to buy 100 mangoes to make pickle are now buying half the quantity,” said Lalitha. Residents of Neredmet, Sainikpuri, Dr AS Rao Nagar, Malkajgiri, Kushaiguda, Housing Board Colony, Cherlapally, Rampally, Damaiguda and beyond visit the market to purchase raw mangoes.

Ramulu, a seller says, “We are close to 50 of us who have been in this business of selling raw mangoes but there are also another 12 who make a living by cutting these mangoes for making pickle. They charge Rs 1 for smaller sized mangoes and Rs 2 for bigger ones.”

“This year, the customers’ footfall has declined due to which the business is slack. The amount we charge during the mornings and the amount we charge during the evenings is totally different. The amount gets decreased as people keep bargaining. The customers buy 2-10 mangoes. If we charge per mango Rs 20, they ask us to give it for Rs 15. We charge a bit more amount so that we can get at least 3-4 rupees per mango,” said a seller at the Kushaiguda market.

“These people were charging 20 rupees per mango and after asking them to reduce the amount, they are charging it for 15 rupees per mango,” said a customer. “I have been making the Avakaya from quite a long time. Many people prefer to have them with their lunch. Though people nowadays are busy with their jobs but they enjoy having Avakaya with the food.”

by Tejal Sinha

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