Fruits in short supply during Ramzan in Kozhikode

Kozhikode: As the fasting season has begun in the Ramzan month, fruits are in short supply and their prices have increased hitting the consumers badly. The prices of apple, grapes, malta, pear, guava, banana and pineapple have gone up in several markets in the city.

There has been an increase of Rs 10-Rs 20 in the prices of most fruits compared to last week. A wholesaler at Palayam market said, "the supply of fruits from other states has come down leading to price rise. We are not able to meet the increasing demand. Also the fruits cannot be kept for long due to the soaring temperature," he added.

Ahmed Shereef, another wholesaler, said, "fruits like water melon, black grapes, orange, musk melon and pineapple are more in demand in the wholesale market."

Water melon is sold for Rs 20 per kg but it is also in short supply. Consumers demand varieties of grapes like black grape, white grape, and red globe which range from Rs 60 to Rs 105 per kg. Orange which cost Rs 60 per kg the previous week is now being sold at Rs 83.

The fruits mostly come from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Pineapple which was only Rs 45 per kg in the previous week now costs Rs 58.  Similarly, the prices of banana have also gone up.