In Bengaluru, high temperatures have contributed to an increase in the prices of summer fruits over the last two weeks. More consumers are buying fruit and juice in an effort to keep cool.
Coconuts from Mandya, Ramnagaram and Maddur which top the demand list have seen a price hike of Rs 5 to Rs 10 per piece, based on the size. The medium sized ones, which were sold at Rs 18 per piece two weeks ago, are now sold at Rs 25 by the wholesalers. The larger ones which cost Rs 25 per piece are now going for Rs 35.
Mohammad Idrees Choudhury, general secretary of Russell Market Traders Association, said, "A similar price hike is common to most of the summer fruits which are juicy and are often preferred by the customers in dry hot weather. Despite adequate production of watermelons, and pineapples, these fruits are seeing a steady price hike due to increasing demand."
He added "Prices of sweet limes and blue grapes are shooting high not only because of high demand, as they are natural coolants, but also because of less produce. Sweet lime, which is mostly brought from Andhra is being sold at Rs 60 per kg as there has been a 70 per cent drop in production this year, unlike the last year which saw a bumper crop. Early rains and hailstorms destroyed the crop. Blue grapes which were sold at Rs 30 per kg, 14 days back, are being sold at Rs 60 per kg, now."
While larger melons from Devanahalli and Andhra have seen a price hike from Rs 7 per kg to Rs 12 per kg in two weeks' time, smaller black melons have seen a price hike from Rs 9 to Rs 16.
Queen pineapples from Kerala have seen a price hike from Rs 25 to Rs 35 in 14 days' time.
"Eight to 10 varieties of ripe mangoes have been on the market for the last 10 days and they are being sold at a fixed price as of now. While sendura costs Rs 120 per kg, rates for raspuri and badami are Rs 200 and Rs 300 per kg, respectively," added Idrees.
