India, April 19 -- This summer, India's most celebrated fruit has turned into a luxury.

The famed Alphonso, once synonymous with abundance in the Konkan belt of coastal Maharashtra, has seen production drops in key districts like Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg, driven by erratic weather, unseasonal rains, and disrupted flowering cycles. Across markets in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru, prices have surged while availability has thinned, leaving even many mango lovers disappointed.

This is not an isolated shock. It is an emerging pattern.

In Andhra Pradesh, the iconic Banganapalli or Badami has seen declines of 20-30%, while the premium Chinna Rasalu variety has witnessed sharper drops in recent seasons, reflecting a steady erosion of productivi...