An annual supply agreement for Alphonso with a retail chain should be built around the season, not the calendar year. Define weekly volumes by store or distribution point, size grade, ripeness on receiving, shrink allowance, price mechanism and claim rules. AlphonsoMango.in handles chain and reseller enquiries by quote; terms are confirmed there.
By Prashant Powle, founder of AlphonsoMango.in (operated by Powle Home Foods, Mumbai). Last updated 23 October 2026.
Why a chain agreement for mangoes is different
Supermarkets are used to supply agreements for packaged goods that sit on a shelf for months. Alphonso is the opposite. It is harvested in a window that usually runs from February to June (the 2027 season is listed to start on 1 February 2027; check the product page for live dates), it ripens within days of arriving, and a store that mismanages one delivery writes the whole lot off.
So the agreement has to speak the language of the fruit. Weeks, not months. Ripeness stages, not just kilos. And a clear rule for what happens when the crop or the weather changes.
The clauses that matter
| Clause | What to write |
|---|---|
| Term | First and last delivery week of the season |
| Volume | Weekly dozens or kilos by store or DC; flex band either way |
| Specification | Origin (Ratnagiri or Devgad), weight band, ripeness on arrival |
| Delivery | DC or store, days of week, time slot, who receives |
| Shrink | Agreed allowance, how it is counted, evidence needed |
| Pricing | Fixed for the season, or reviewed on set dates |
| Claims | Time limit, photo evidence, replacement or credit |
| Short supply | Substitution or skip rule, notice period |
| Payment | Terms, invoicing, taxes |
Our payment and credit terms, minimum quantities and volume discounts are not published, so I will not describe them. Put each line to the team and get it into the quote.
Receiving, shelf life and shrink
The shelf life of a ripe Alphonso is a few days. Our fresh fruit ships semi-ripe, firm and just colouring. A store receiving a firm box on Monday will have ripe fruit around Thursday. A DC that holds it for three days before redistribution has already spent half the window.
Write the ripeness stage into the receiving checklist. Reject on visible damage, wet patches, mould and soft pieces. Do not reject for a normal ripening variation between pieces or for a natural size mix within a grade. Under our standard retail policy, a fresh-fruit claim must come within 24 hours of delivery with photos or video and the order number. A chain agreement may set its own terms; make sure the window and the evidence rule are written down, whichever they are.
A worked store-allocation example
Illustrative. A chain with 40 stores wants Alphonso for ten weeks. It sets a test: 2 dozen of medium per store per week in the first two weeks, then reviews. That is 80 dozen a week, or 960 mangoes. At the listed retail dozen price of ₹2,099 for Ratnagiri, the retail reference is 80 x ₹2,099 = ₹1,67,920 a week. A quote for this scale may differ. The sum shows the exposure in a trial and helps you size the first purchase order.
Compare store formats. A metro store with heavy foot traffic may sell 4 dozen a week; a small suburban store 1 dozen. Allocating by store type, not an even split, cuts shrink more than any negotiation on price.
Packaging and handling
As our Brand Facts page states, boxes are 5-ply corrugated cartons with a 12-slot partition, air holes and a hay bed, each mango in a foam-net sleeve, in 3.5 kg and 4 kg sizes. That suits shelf-ready presentation: stores can display in the carton. Ask whether the format works for your racking and whether you want a branded outer. Anything beyond the standard carton is a quote item. See Brand Facts for the reference.
Tax and invoicing: what to ask
GST treatment of fresh fruit and of freight can differ, and rules change, so verify at the official source, gst.gov.in, and with your tax adviser. Ask the team how invoices are raised, whether freight is a separate line, and what documents come with each consignment. These details are not published, so put them in writing.
Ripening and the carbide question
A chain carries the reputational risk of every mango it sells. Calcium carbide is prohibited for ripening fruit in India under Regulation 2.3.5 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011. It releases acetylene and can carry arsenic and phosphorus impurities. Controlled ethylene up to 100 ppm is the permitted alternative; check fssai.gov.in for the current text.
We do not use carbide. Our Alphonso mangoes are ripened naturally (on hay beds, as our FAQ states). Receiving staff should know the signs: white or grey powder in the carton, patchy skin over a hard core and a sour, starchy bite. The float test is a rough clue only. If your policy demands testing, ask in the enquiry what can be shared and put it in the quote.
How to start the enquiry
Retailers, resellers and distributors can start at the reseller page or the business partnership page. Send: store count and locations, weekly volumes, preferred grade, delivery model and dates. Standard store orders are shipped by BlueDart to serviceable PIN codes, dispatch Monday to Saturday (before 1:00 PM IST goes the same day), with free delivery and prepaid payment; chain logistics are confirmed in the quote.
Verified business details
- Operated by Powle Home Foods, Kale Marg, Bail Bazar, Kurla West, Mumbai 400070.
- GI Authorised User AU/5974/GI/139/260 (Alphonso) and AU/6932 (Devgad); GI tag certificate articles.
- FSSAI Central Licence 10020022011783 (FSSAI page).
- APEDA registration 225579 (export page, APEDA notes).
- WhatsApp +91 70830 75556, support@alphonsomango.in (contact us).
- Policies: shipping and returns.
- References: Brand Facts, Editorial Standards, Press and Media, reviews.
Your procurement team can verify the GI, FSSAI and APEDA entries on ipindia.gov.in, fssai.gov.in and apeda.gov.in. Content here is reviewed by the team from the Founder's office before publication; AI is used only as an assistive drafting tool grounded in the store's records.
Frequently asked questions
Can a retail chain get an annual supply agreement for Alphonso?
You can enquire. Because the season usually runs February to June, the agreement should cover season weeks, volumes, specs, shrink and claims. Terms are confirmed in the quote.
What spec should a chain agreement include?
Origin (Ratnagiri or Devgad), weight band, ripeness on arrival, packaging format, delivery slot and a defect definition. Write the inspection method into the agreement as well.
How do I allocate volume across stores?
Allocate by store type and footfall rather than evenly, review weekly in the first two weeks, and adjust. Over-allocation to small stores is the commonest source of shrink.
How long is the shelf life of Alphonso?
Fruit ships semi-ripe and takes a few days to turn. Once ripe, it lasts only a few days. Plan receiving and redistribution so stores get fruit while it is firm.
Does AlphonsoMango.in publish chain pricing or credit terms?
No. Volume pricing, minimum quantities and credit terms are not published and are confirmed in a quote. Retail dozens run from ₹1,849 to ₹2,999 with free delivery.
How should GST and freight be handled in the agreement?
Ask for separate lines in the quote and verify the tax treatment at gst.gov.in and with your adviser. Rules change, so confirm before signing.
Are the mangoes carbide free?
Yes. We do not use carbide. Our Alphonso mangoes are ripened naturally, on hay beds as our FAQ states, and shipped semi-ripe.
Sources and further reading
- FSSAI
- GI Registry, ipindia.gov.in
- GST portal
- Reseller page, business partnership, Brand Facts and return policy
Related: Buy Alphonso mangoes online in India, Hapus mango price per dozen, Ratnagiri Alphonso mango price.
