Experts have estimated the slump in yields at around 10 per cent of the last year's 32.56 lakh tonnes. Notwithstanding the two year cyclical nature, where bumper crops are followed by lean harvests in the next year, the situation this year is disturbing considering the extent of the devastation of the crop, scientists at the Mango Fruit Research station at Rangareddy maintain.

The bad weather conditions across the state in the last three to four months have been particularly damaging, Vijaya at the research station told The Financial Express stressing this was the first time she had come across such a phenomenon.

The state had produced 31.64 lakh tonnes of mango during 1995-1996 and in 1996-1997 too there was a bumper crop of 32.56 lakh tonnes. In certain parts of the state, especially in Krishna and West Godavari districts, the mango belt, the flower isstill to form and a majority of trees are drying up because of the high temperature, experts say.

Added to this Krishna district, which accounts for 60 per cent of the produce in the state, the outbreak of blossom blight virus has affected the output drastically. According to the P Naganand, additional director of state Horticulture department, the flower has started falling off and the leaves are turning into blackish colour.

He further said the other parts of the state "Anthracnose and Gallmidge" disease had attacked the mango tree mostly due to increase in the day temperature. This coupled with the overall disturbed cycle would further hamper the yield, he opined.

According to traders at the Hyderabad fruit market, the summer fruit which is priced at Rs 35 per kilo is likely to rise further due to the widening demand-supply gap. Consequently the export scenario is also bleak for the AP mango, which traditionally is headed for the shores of countries like the UK, France Dubai, Singapore and HongKong.