Tirupati: Lemon farmers in the Nellore and Tirupati districts are facing a crisis as prices of their citrus crops fell sharply to below Rs 20 per kilo in the wholesale markets.
Several factors, including unfavourable weather conditions, a lacklustre monsoon and excessive production have combined to deliver a blow to the farming community.
Over the past three months, lemon markets in Gudur and Podalakuru, known for exporting lemons to major cities, have experienced a downturn in business. Sources said there was a staggering drop in lemon prices. The prices fell from an all-time high of Rs 160 per kg for first-grade lemons last year to the current range of Rs 20 per kg.
As a result, farmers coming to the Gudur and Podalakur markets are selling quality lemons for throwaway prices.
Thummala Babu Chandra, a lemon producer, expressed his dismay, stating, "We never saw such a dire situation. A couple of months ago, the lemon market had given good prices. We are now left with a choice of either disposing of the fruit in our gardens or selling them at low prices."
Last year, at least 25 trucks were dispatched daily to other states from these markets, but this year, even 10 trucks could not be sent due to the drastic fall in lemon prices, say lemon traders.
Sunkara Raju, a lemon trader, explained, "The two major markets in the district typically send around 280-700 tonnes of lemons every day to various parts of the country during the peak season. Lemons have been sourced from various mandals in the undivided district, with a majority of the input coming from the Gudur division. But the lemon market is currently experiencing an inventory surplus, which has led to the drastic drop in prices".
Official sources said lemon cultivation has been undertaken by around 75,000 farmers in the dryland areas of Podalakuru, Gudur, Kaluvai, Saidapuram, Venkatagiri, Dakkili, Balayapalle, Rapur and 10 mandals in the joint Nellore district; these relying on borewells for irrigation.
A 75-kg bag, selling for Rs 16,000 during last year's Dasara, is now fetching Rs 1,500-1,600. And, the lemon trade has reportedly plummeted from its Rs 60-70 crore size to a rs 20 crore.
