Scant rainfall hits export of mango pulp in Tamil Nadu

Krishnagiri (Tamil Nadu), May 18 (ANI): The export of mango pulp from Tamil Nadu's Krishnagiri region has been adversely hit due to inadequate rainfall during the northeast monsoon this year.

Incidentally, Krishnagiri is the second largest exporter of pulp in India and second largest producer of mangoes in the world.

Krishnagiri and the neighbouring Dharmapuri district boasts of more than 45,000 hectares of mango orchards, with a total annual output of mangoes in the range of over 300,000 tonnes.

A major part of the processed pulp is exported to the Middle East and European countries.

In 2009, around 11,250 tonnes of pulp were exported to foreign countries.

"Last year, we had produced 8,500 containers that is 1,50,000 tonnes of mango pulp. Out of which 75 percent was exported and 25 percent was used for domestic purposes," said Madhavan, Managing Director, Paiyur Fruit Private Limited, Krishnagiri.

The annual total turnover in mango pulp industry is around five billion rupees, but it is speculated that it would be bleak to the extent of 50 percent as compared to the previous season.

"This year the graph of mango pulp production is drastically affected due to monsoon failure. We are expecting only 25 percent of production as compared to last year," said Madhavan. (ANI)