Those planning to take lot of fruits for ‘iftar’ (breaking the fast) may have to think twice. This Ramzan, fruits are going to cost a bomb.
The prices of the fruits have sky-rocketed in the last one week in the city owing to huge demand and less supply this season. “Farmers and middlemen eagerly wait for Ramzan and try to make the most of the demand. Prices of a few fruits have witnessed an increase of 50 per cent,” says Mirza Ismail Baig, a fruit vendor at Afzalgunj.
Fruits such as water melon, pineapple, grapes, sweet lime and guava have made their way to the market from various parts of the country. “As this is off-season the prices will be high. Already the prices of mango have increased by Rs. 10 per kg in the open market,” says Sayeed Bhai, a fruit merchant at Kothapet fruit market.
Mango costs between Rs.30 and 100 a kg, water melon between Rs. 60 and100, pineapple is priced between Rs. 30 and Rs. 50 each while sweet lime costs between Rs. 20 and Rs. 40 each and apples costs between Rs. 25 and Rs. 50 each. “The price of apple is expected to come down once local ‘Shimla’ variety arrives by July end,” says another trader.
Fruits form an integral part of the iftar menu and people prefer it in large quantities. “Looking at the prices we will be forced to buy it in lesser quantity as one cannot completely avoid them ,” says Sohail Hasnain a businessman from Charminar.
Fruit shops near mosques and residential areas are a regular feature but this time they are not to be seen. “We do not expect a major profit on our investment. Moreover, these are perishable items and there is a lot of risk if the fruits are not properly stored,” explains Junaid, a trader from Bahadurpura.
