The bulk arrival of jackfruits from the neighbouring State of Kerala heralds the commencement of the annual season for the fruits in the district.
Kerala is a major jackfruit producing State and the flowering season commences in December. The tender jackfruits are harvested prematurely and sent to North Indian states, for preparation of various delicacies. The fully grown fruits are harvested in March and April and sent to Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Thrissur, Chalakudy, and Angamali towns and the surrounding villages are major jackfruit producing centres in Kerala.
Huge loads of jackfruits have started arriving in Salem markets from these areas for the past weeks. The fruits will arrive till August, according to Azad Sadiq, a fruit merchant of Chathiram Fruits Mandy in the city.
Due to the scarcity of rainfall, the fruits received in the initial stages were not of good quality. With the south-west monsoon intensifying since the beginning of this month, the quality of fruits have improved. The district received about five tonnes of fruits a day, a couple of weeks ago, and now it has increased to 30 tonnes of fruits.
The jackfruits that arrive in Salem are sent to Namakkal, Dharmapuri, Dindigul, Krishnagiri, Villupuram districts.
Due to the bulk arrival, the price has also fallen considerably. At present the jackfruits are priced between Rs. 50 and Rs. 200 per fruit.
Meanwhile, Thammampatti town and the surrounding areas have started receiving jackfruits from Kollihills adivaram.
A large number of tribal people are seen marketing the jackfruits on the roadsides in Thammampatti town and the outskirts.
While, a small fruit is priced at Rs. 60, big fruit is fetching a price of Rs. 200. Since the fruits of Kolli hills are tasty, there is a good demand for the same in Thammampatti market.
