Mangoes from Pakistan will remain out of sight this season as fruit dealers in Indore have decided to shun ties with the neighboring country.
In protest against Pulwama terror attack, dealers in Choithram fruit market took a call to not place orders with Pakistan.
Manohar Dhawan, a leading fruit dealer at Choithram market said, “We will not sell mangoes from Pakistan now. Money is a negligible factor when it comes to country. Nation is above all.”
Every year in the season, around 50 to 100 boxes of mangoes (1 box weighing 10 to 20 kg) per day come to Indore from Pakistan but this season no trade is likely to take place. The average minimum trade during the season is around Rs 1 crore (USD 147,000).
Mangoes from Pakistan are prized for its rich pulp and and extra sweetness. As these mangoes come once Indian mangoes are exhausted, they extend the season for mango lovers by two to three months. The season for these mango starts from August and ends by October.
Harish Demia, mango dealer at Choithra fruit market said, “All dealers met and unanimously decided to not continue trade with Pakistan. Not even a single piece of mango will reach Indore from Pakistan.”
Mangoes from Pakistan have a retail price from Rs 100-150 (USD 1.41-2.11) per kg, according to dealers.
There are about half a dozen dealers in Indore, who deal in mangoes from Pakistan.
Inflamed after the terror attack on the CRPF convoy, where over 40 personnel were killed, traders in almost all sector have refused to deal with Pakistan.
According to wholesale kirana traders of Siyaganj, supply of dry fruits such as pistachio and figs is also likely to get squeezed as these items come from Afghanistan via the Pakistan border.
Source: Times of India