"The ban effective for two seasons till December 2015, subject to a review, will mean losses of at least Rs.50-60 crores for Maharashtra farmers alone," Federation of Associations of Maharashtra president M.Gurnani told IANS.
The ban on Indian mangos and certain other vegetables ostensibly due to concerns over pests and insects, imposed last week by the EU's Standing Committee on Plant Health last week, has come at the start of the best crop of Alphonso mango which has started flooding the state markets since the middle of April.
"This ban, coupled with the recent crop losses due to inclement weather conditions in the state, will add further to the farming community woes... The centre must immediately intervene," said leading mango exporter Balasaheb Bhende.
Bhende said that since the past few days, the main wholesale mango markets in Navi Mumbai are being flooded with thousands of crates of the fruit, but with few takers.
"With demand suddenly falling and supply remaining steady, the prices have taken a sharp plunge, hitting the farming community," added Gurnani.
