A sweet and sticky dispute has ripened into a full-blown inter-state standoff between Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka after AP imposed a ban on the import of Totapari mangoes from neighbouring states, citing protection of local farmers’ interests. The move, enforced since June 7 by Chittoor district authorities, has sparked outrage in Karnataka and drawn strong reactions from top officials.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday sent an official letter to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the ban. Warning of possible retaliatory actions if the ban continues, Siddaramaiah said the move undermines the spirit of cooperative federalism and threatens the livelihoods of thousands of mango growers in Karnataka, especially those in border areas dependent on Chittoor’s vast mango processing units.

The Andhra Pradesh government, meanwhile, defended its decision. Senior officials stated that the ban is meant to protect domestic mango farmers from being undercut by lower-priced imports from Karnataka. This year, AP fixed a procurement price of Rs.8 per kg for Totapari mangoes, used primarily in pulp production. To ensure better returns, the state announced an additional Rs.4 per kg subsidy, raising the total benefit to Rs.12 per kg for farmers.

AP plans to procure 5.5 lakh tonnes of Totapari mangoes this season, spending nearly Rs.220 crore. However, with Karnataka’s mangoes reportedly selling at Rs.5 per kg and no minimum support price declared by their government, AP fears processors would flock to cheaper alternatives, triggering a price crash and distress among local farmers.

To enforce the ban, AP deployed multi-departmental teams at critical border check-posts, halting shipments from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. This has not only frozen mango trade routes but also disrupted long-standing interstate commercial ties.

Karnataka Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh also wrote to her AP counterpart K. Vijayanand, echoing the CM’s concerns. She called the ban “unilateral and abrupt,” warning of heavy post-harvest losses for Karnataka farmers and urging Andhra Pradesh to reconsider for the sake of regional harmony and economic continuity.

With the deadlock continuing, and no formal response yet from Andhra Pradesh, farmers on both sides of the border remain on edge. The outcome of this fruit-fuelled feud could have a significant bearing on inter-state trade relations.