Kerala: Horticorp steps in to check banana prices

Thiruvananthapuram: With prices of banana varieties spiralling across the state, the Horticorp has initiated steps to procure them directly through the auction markets of Vegetable and Fruits Promotion Council Keralam (VFPCK). Horticorp managing director Ranjan S. Karippai said measures had been made to ensure that consumers get bananas from their outlets at a subsidised price.

"Loss of crops which resulted in a shortage in the domestic market was the reason for the increase in prices. Usually, they go up only from the beginning of Chingam and continue during the Onam season. However, this time, the prices have gone up even before Karkidakam," he told DC.

S. S. Mukundesh, a merchant in Thiruvananthapuram, said prices had recorded a high with Ethapazham around Rs 72 per kg, Rasakadali Rs 80, Robusta Rs 38 and Palayankodan Rs 50. There was a severe shortage of Palayankodan to such an effect that it was impossible to get it from procuring centres even paying a higher amount.

The indication is a possibility of banana prices going up in the coming weeks especially during Onam. However, farmers in the state will not be able to enjoy the spiralling prices due to a sharp drop in output, sources said. Most of them now arrive from Tamil Nadu unlike the last season when local supplies met the demand.