PUNE The ‘market for lemons’ is hot. Prices of the essential summer citrus fruit have risen to unseen levels, reaching up to ₹10 per lemon in Pune.
A lemon inflation has taken hold, because an unusually early summer and heatwaves have spiked demand. The crop this year was also smaller in some states, according to traders. Demand for lemons, its juice or products usually rises during summers.
“Every summer, the rate of lemons goes up as the demand increases and supply is less. The rate of lemon in the wholesale market is between ₹2,000 and ₹2,500 for the bag of 300-500 lemons,” said Vilas Bhujbal, president of the commission agents and traders’ association.
In January one lemon was priced at ₹2. It increased to ₹5 in March and now has soared to ₹10 in April, in the retail market.
“The quantity of lemons in a bag is decided upon its size. Currently, in the wholesale market, the price of one lemon is ₹8. The price is expected to remain the same or even increase in the next two months,” added Bhujbal.
Traders said they were helpless and simply passing on higher wholesale prices. Vegetable retailer Rajesh Nizampurkar who has a stall at Shanipar chowk, in Sadashiv peth is avoiding to bring lemons for sale as there is no high profit margin. “The price of per lemon in the wholesale market is sky rocketing. Even if we sell per lemon for ₹10, we are not earning any profit.”
{{/usCountry}}Traders said they were helpless and simply passing on higher wholesale prices. Vegetable retailer Rajesh Nizampurkar who has a stall at Shanipar chowk, in Sadashiv peth is avoiding to bring lemons for sale as there is no high profit margin. “The price of per lemon in the wholesale market is sky rocketing. Even if we sell per lemon for ₹10, we are not earning any profit.”
{{/usCountry}}Meena Lakhani who visits Mandai for her daily grocery shopping says, “When I shifted to Sadashiv peth in January, I would bring home five lemons for ₹10. Now, within three months, I am getting the same citrus for ₹10 per piece. This is a simple lemon. How can it cost so much? I have never heard of such high rates in our hometown which is Akola.”
Poor and middle-class consumers commonly rely on roadside lemon juice pressers to quench thirst during summers. Lemon is also an essential ingredient to marinate dishes.
Transport cost increase
The prices of other vegetables also went up by 20% on Monday. “The supply was less due to the festival of Gudi Padwa, as many farmers did not turn with their trucks on Monday. However, rate of vegetables has also increased due to the rise in transportation charges, due to the ongoing rise of petrol and diesel prices,” added Bhujbal.