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Karnataka's Totapuri Mango Growers In A Squeeze As Andhra Pradesh Ban Cuts Off Key Markets
This year's super bumper crop has worsened the situation, as units still have a backlog from the last two years, resulting in a pile-up
In Karnataka's orchards, Totapuri mango growers are facing a crisis—Their prized mangoes might be reduced to pulp before even reaching the processing units in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
The fears of these farmers were confirmed when Karnataka's Chief Secretary, Shalini Rajnish, wrote to her Andhra Pradesh counterpart, arguing that the ban imposed by the Chittoor district's Collector should not prevent farmers from Karnataka from accessing these crucial markets.
'This sudden and unilateral decision has caused significant distress among Karnataka's mango farmers, particularly those in border districts. They grow large volumes of Totapuri mangoes and rely heavily on Chittoor-based processing units," Rajnish wrote. 'This disruption in interstate trade threatens their livelihoods and may result in substantial post-harvest losses."
She further warned that such a move could undermine cooperative federalism and might lead to retaliatory actions, such as obstructing vegetable inflows from Andhra Pradesh, escalating interstate tensions—a scenario she urged to avoid.
Rajnish requested immediate intervention from her counterpart, K. Vijayanand, to revoke the ban. However, Chittoor Collector Sumeet Kumar defended the decision, asserting that it was necessary to protect the interests of Andhra Pradesh's mango growers. Kumar explained to News18 that Chittoor had a bumper crop this year, causing market prices to plummet. Allowing mangoes from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu would further depress prices, harming local farmers.
Kumar noted that a team from Karnataka's Kolar district was already in Chittoor to assess the situation, and Andhra Pradesh had asked Karnataka for detailed mango production data. The aim, he said, was not to stop trade but to ensure Andhra Pradesh farmers did not suffer losses. With the mango season ending, the Andhra Pradesh government expects a surge in produce hitting processing centres.
Speaking to News18, Vijayanand acknowledged receiving the letter and stated that they would monitor the situation and decide on the next steps soon.
Around three lakh tonnes of Totapuri mangoes are sent annually from Karnataka to pulp processing units in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. This year, processing units in both states are offering only Rs 4 per kilogram for Totapuri mangoes, which is inadequate, according to Nalathur Chinnappa Reddy, president of the Kolar Mango Producers Association. 'Andhra Pradesh has set a minimum support price of Rs 8 per kilogram, subsidised by the government to Rs 4 per kilogram. Our harvest season has just begun, and we need to sell our produce within the next month," he said.
Processing units in southern India are primarily based in Chittoor and Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu. This year's super bumper crop has worsened the situation, as units still have a backlog from the last two years. Low yields in previous years forced units to pay higher prices, resulting in a pile-up due to low offtake by multinational companies and exports.
In response, the Kolar Mango Growers Association has called for a bandh in Srinivasapura on Wednesday, protesting the Karnataka government's failure to open more processing units within the state. Currently, Karnataka has a few units in Kolar, Hoskote, and Tumakuru.
First Published:
June 11, 2025, 11:03 IST
