Watermelon arrival heralds early onset of summer

The arrival of watermelon at Palayamkottai, which is reeling under sweltering heat now, has unequivocally announced the early onset of summer.

The arrival of the fruit with sweet watery red pulp here from Dindigul, Tindivanam, Cuddalore and Puducherry has excited consumers, especially children, a lot. After being sold for Rs 25 a kilogram last year, the price of watermelon came down to Rs 17 a kg later in that season.

“This year the starting price stands at Rs 22 a kg and is expected to come down further as the number of roadside shops selling watermelon increases,” says S. Murugan, who is one among the first to put up roadside watermelon shops in Palayamkottai.

Mr. Murugan, a trader of seasonal fruits, says watermelon yield in the supplier districts is good this year as these regions experienced good rainfall ever since the seed was sown. “We expect good influx of watermelon this year,” adds Mr. Murugan, who has already bought two truckloads of the fruit.