Vendors selling ‘fake’ Konkan Alphonso mangoes face stiff penalties from the APMC
Vendors selling 'fake' Konkan Alphonso mangoes face stiff penalties from the APMC
The Pune Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) has now established squads to inspect all mangoes coming into Pune and take action against those found to be defrauding customers after it was discovered that many vendors were selling fake Alphonso mangoes.
At least three traders in Market Yard have had fake Alphonso mangoes confiscated from them in the last few years by Pune APMC officials after they were discovered to be selling south Indian mangoes as Alphonso mangoes from the Konkan belt (Devgad/Ratnagiri). The APMC has prosecuted these dealers, fined them, and put the confiscated mangoes up for auction. The APMC has issued a warning to traders ahead of the mango season not to sell fake Alphonso or any other variety of mangoes, as they risk having a formal complaint filed against them.
The taste, colour, and size of Alphonso mangoes from Devgad, Ratnagiri, and other Konkan belt regions are entirely different, according to a senior APMC official. Mango boxes are arriving at Market Yard on a daily basis in large quantities as the mango season has begun. They are closely monitoring the vendors in the market who are selling mangoes. Mangoes from south India (Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu) should not be sold as Konkan Alphonso mangoes. There are numerous differences. Most significantly, a dozen Karnataka mangos only cost ₹500, while a dozen Konkan Alphonso mangos go for ₹2,000.
The official went on to say that some vendors and traders had been caught using the names of Devgad/Ratnagiri mangoes on mango boxes and using Konkan newspaper for packing in an attempt to trick people. This year, if vendors are caught engaging in such behaviour, they will face severe consequences.
Officials from the APMC are educating locals and visitors to Market Yard about phony Konkan Alphonso mangoes. The APMC has issued a warning to agents and dealers in Market Yard, advising them not to sell phony mangoes or else a formal complaint will be filed against them.
