Ratnagiri Hapus arrives four months early, first box sells for Rs 21,000

Mention Ratnagiri's world-famous Hapus mango and most people think of a season that begins in February-March. This time the picture is different. Helped by nature and the efforts of orchardists, the Hapus has arrived in the market a full four months ahead of its season, surprising everyone. The first box of the pre-season Hapus was auctioned at a record Rs 21,000.

The off-season Hapus was grown in the orchard of Dattaram Daji Padyar, an experimental mango grower from Gavkhadi village in Ratnagiri taluka. The first box from his orchard, containing four dozen, or 48, Hapus mangoes, was brought to the market through the well-known Ratnagiri trader "Satish Pawar Bandhu".

The first box fetched the heavy price of Rs 21,000. Worked out, this comes to Rs 5,250 a dozen. It is being seen as a new record for the start of a season.

Kaustubh Dixit got the chance to be the first person honoured and the first customer for this first Rajapur/Ratnagiri Hapus to reach the market four months before the season. He bought the box of this historic mango for Rs 21,000.

Arrivals of Hapus normally pick up in the last part of February or in March. Finding ripe, good-quality Hapus in the market around October-November is therefore considered very rare.

On one hand, the regular season is still some months away. On the other, the record price of Rs 21,000 for the very first box is being talked about across the Konkan and in the mango market. There is a mood of excitement among traders and growers.