Business activities at the vegetable and fruit market of Mirpurkhas have fallen into a severe crisis during the mango season as despite a bumper mango crop and a large influx of produce into the market, contractors, traders, and landowners are facing serious financial difficulties.
According to a PPI report today, continuous losses in business have created an atmosphere of concern, while contractors and orchard owners are reportedly suffering losses worth millions of rupees.
The closure of borders with neighboring countries has not only affected the import and export of various goods but has also severely impacted the export of mangoes, which are the identity of Sindh and Mirpurkhas. In addition, rising petroleum prices have further increased the losses faced by mango traders, which are now running into millions of rupees.
Market sources said that mango crates (boxes) used for packaging are being supplied at the rate of Rs190 per crate. Traders allege that the market administration is giving preferential treatment in the supply of packaging material to certain individuals, causing difficulties for other business operators.
On the other hand, rising transportation costs have further affected the mango trade. According to traders, the transportation cost per crate is around Rs280, while they had already purchased mangoes from growers at Rs450 per crate. In this way, the total cost per crate reaches approximately Rs800 to Rs900, whereas mangoes are being sold in the market between Rs600 and Rs700 per crate. In addition, labor, loading, unloading, and other administrative expenses are being borne separately.
Well-known contractors stated that due to the current situation, they are suffering losses of around Rs500,000 to Rs600,000 per truck. They said that continuous price reductions and rising expenses have made the business unprofitable.
Traders further stated that high diesel prices, increasing transportation costs, and the suspension of mango exports are the main reasons behind this crisis. They added that Mirpurkhas’s world-famous mangoes are being sold at extremely low prices due to a lack of buyers, affecting the entire business chain.
Traders, contractors, and landowners have demanded that the government immediately provide relief to the mango sector, increase export opportunities, and take practical steps to reduce transportation and other costs so that further damage to this important agricultural sector can be prevented.
Business circles have warned that if the current situation continues, not only thousands of people associated with the mango trade will be affected, but the economy of Mirpurkhas and its mango industry may also suffer long-term damage.
Meanwhile, apart from the Mirpurkhas fruit market, mangoes -especially Sindhri variety- are being sold at just Rs100 per kilogram in general markets, streets, and local carts. Mangoes are visible everywhere, and at this time mango is the cheapest fruit in the city, making both rich and poor consumers happy.