Drop in arrival and rise in demand have led to two-fold increase in price of lemon, which is being sold for a minimum of ₹10 a piece in markets here.
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Lemon juice is a sought-after drink during summer as it is pocket-friendly. As the citrus fruit is not cultivated in Erode, it arrives from other districts and States to the Nethaji Daily Vegetable and Fruit Market at V.O.C. Park Ground and is sold across the district in retail.
The fruit that was sold at ₹3 to ₹5 a piece during the first week of March is now being sold at ₹10 a piece.
“The demand has increased due to soaring temperature in the last four weeks,” said Ganesh, a retailer. Earlier he used to sell three lemons for ₹20, whereas now it is ₹ 12 a piece. “Since the weather is expected to continue for the next six to eight weeks, the price will go up further,” he said and pointed out the drop in cultivation of lemon in the last two years due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Traders said that due to the pandemic, farmers incurred huge loss and had stopped cultivating lemon. A few other traders said that it was natural for the price to go up during summer due to high demand.