MULTAN: Prices of mango may be high in domestic market as compared to the last year due to a high cost of inputs and a recent wind and hailstorm.

According to Multan Mango Growers Association President Maj Tariq, the windstorm on Thursday evening had damaged over 20 per fruit. He said mango production was being estimated at 1.2 million tonnes which was low as compared to last year's production of 1.7 million tonnes. "The produce was already expected to be 40 per cent less than the last year and the recent windstorm has further damaged it," he added.

He said south Punjab had 112,000 hectors of mango orchards. To a query, he said there was no attack of any disease on the orchards at the moment.

"High prices of inputs including fertiliser, oil, pesticide and water shortage have created immense problems for growers and the situation can further reduce the produce," he added.

He demanded authorities to exempt south Punjab from taxes as the storm had caused huge losses to growers.