KANGAR: Unpredictable weather conditions and the spike in production cost have caused the prices of Harumanis mangoes to increase by 10 per cent compared to the previous season.

State Agriculture and Agro-Based Committee chairman Nurulhisham Yaakob said the state government proposed that the Premium Grade A Harumanis mangoes be sold RM35 per kilogramme, Premium B (RM30 per kg) and Grade C (RM15-RM25 per kg).

"A box of three kg of Premium Grade A Harumanis can also be purchased at RM110.00 while a box of five kg is sold at RM185," he said.

"The Premium Grade B Harumanis weighing three kg is sold at RM95 and a box of five kg will be priced at RM160," he told Bernama today.

Nurulhisham said uncertain weather patterns had caused many Harumanis flower buds to fall and yields to drop.

"The spike in prices of fertilisers and pesticides also contributed to the higher Harumanis mango prices," he said.

Nurulhisham said the increase in the prices of the agricultural product was inevitable to ensure that Harumanis mango farmers did not suffer huge losses due to the hike in the the production cost.

"It is a win-win situation for Harumanis mango farmers and consumers," said the Simpang Empat assemblyman, adding that for this year, Harumanis mangoes were expected to be available from April to July.

Meanwhile, he said the Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail has agreed to officiate the launch of the Perlis Harumanis Mango Festival at Pusat Kecemerlangan Harumanis, Bukit Bintang, on March 28.

Nurulhisham reminded Harumanis farmers to adhere to the guidelines set by the State Agriculture Department (JPN Perlis) to maintain the quality of the mango variant.

He also advised the public to always refer to the official social media sites of JPN Perlis to avoid falling victim to traders selling fake Harumanis mangoes.

-- BERNAMA