Not all that’s saffron is hapus: Mango shortage sparks ‘imposter’ Alphonsos in Mumbai

Representational Image

A weak Alphonso season from the Konkan belt has upended Mumbai's mango market, with a 60-70 per cent production hit forcing traders to plug gaps with lookalike "Alphonso" (Hapus) varieties from Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Unseasonal rain and pest attacks during flowering have delayed the harvest, slashing arrivals of Ratnagiri and Devgad Hapus and reshaping early-season supply across the city.

How to spot the real Hapus

(Sanjay Pansare's quick guide)

Smell first, not look
A genuine Konkan Hapus has a strong, natural aroma that you can notice even from a distance

New batch of Hapus arrives at APMC amid supply crunch

Colour check
Rich saffron-yellow when ripe, never dull or patchy

Skin test
Thin, delicate skin that feels soft and smooth

Watch the fakes
Thicker skin, firmer feel, more fibrous bite and noticeably weaker fragrance signal southern varieties sold under the Alphonso umbrella

On ground (South Mumbai)

Retailers in Crawford Market and Colaba are stocking southern varieties to meet demand, while genuine Devgad Hapus remains scarce, premium, and increasingly difficult for buyers to identify.

Former APMC Fruit Market director Sanjay Pansare performs pooja of Hapus at Vashi market, as traders navigate a weak Konkan season and rising dependence on southern "Alphonso" varieties

Market snapshot

(APMC, Monday)
17,000 boxes total arrivals

6325 boxes: Genuine Konkan Hapus

10,675 boxes: Southern varieties

500-600 crates/day (20 kg each) from Kerala, TN, Karnataka

60-70percent production deficit in Konkan

Price gap (per dozen)

Rs 3000- Rs 9000
Konkan Hapus

Rs 1200- Rs 1500
Southern "Alphonso"

What changed

>> Erratic weather during flowering
>> Pest attacks hit the yield
>> Harvest delayed, early market captured by southern states

Supply shift

Sanjay Pansare, former APMC Fruit Market director
‘Southern varieties now make up 60 per cent plus of "Alphonso" stock in Mumbai "Arrivals of genuine Hapus are barely 10 per cent of last year'

Spot the real Hapus
(Former APMC fruit market director Sanjay Pansare's quick guide)

Smell first, not look
A genuine Konkan Hapus has a strong, natural aroma you can notice even from a distance

Colour check
Rich saffron-yellow when ripe, never dull or patchy

Skin test
Thin, delicate skin that feels soft and smooth

Watch the fakes
Thicker skin, firmer feel, more fibrous bite and noticeably weaker fragrance signal southern varieties sold under the Alphonso umbrella