In Madurai, in the state of Tamil Nadu, wholesalers are attributing a shortage in supplies to the soaring cost of bananas. Usually, about 40 to 50 loads, each load containing 80 to 100 bunches, if the bananas are of good quality and size, and 120 bunches per load if the fruits are small, are brought to the wholesale market, a trader said.
"However, the number of loads has come down to 25. A bunch of 100 fruits, sold for Rs450 last month is now sold for Rs500 to 550, while a slightly bigger bunch of about 120 fruits is sold for 600," he said. Even when the prices are skyrocketing, there is a huge demand for even third quality bananas, as the fruit is a part of the staple diet of many households in Madurai, he added.
Around 3,000 bunches of bananas used to be auctioned per day. But, it has come down to about 1,000 bunches.
A few months ago, the prices had touched a low of Rs2 for a good quality fruit after production went up.
Elaborating on the short supply of the fruit, banana cultivators said that they bring down the number of crops during the month of April, because strong seasonal winds destroy banana plants. "It is better to get our profits by lowering the supply," said K Thangaraj, a farmer.
