Fruits and vegetable in Visakhapatnam get expensive

Summer staples like mangoes, jackfruits, ice apples and black plums have turned luxuries for many. Mangoes are being sold at ₹150–200 per kg, jackfruits ₹50–60 per dozen, ice apples ₹50 per dozen, and black plums at ₹250–300 per kg.

Other fruits like pomegranates are priced ₹150 per kg in Rythu Bazaars and ₹220–250 in local markets. Apples are costing ₹200 per kg and red grapes an astonishing ₹800 per kg.

Vegetable markets are showing a similar trend. In Rythu Bazaars, vegetables are priced between ₹30 to ₹80 per kg. In private markets, they are costing almost double. For instance, tomatoes are being sold at ₹50 per kg in Rythu Bazaars. But they cost up to ₹90 per kg in private markets. Other vegetables, such as onions and potatoes, are priced at ₹37 and ₹28 per kg, respectively, in Rythu Bazaars, with private market prices being significantly higher.

A fruit shop owner of Madillapalem Rythu Bazaar said there is low availability of mangoes due to rains and decreased production. Still, there is only minimal profit. "We are buying mangoes and selling them by hiking the price by just ₹5-10 a kg. He said mangoes will not be available in the market from next week.

Marketing department officials say insufficient arrival of tomatoes from key production areas like Madanapalle, Anantapur and Chittoor has exacerbated the situation. The shortfall is expected to persist for another two weeks until more supplies arrive from Palamaneru, other regions of Rayalaseema, and the Andhra-Karnataka border areas.

Officials said high prices of onions are following the biennial pattern of low production cycles in Maharashtra, the primary region growing the onions.

An official of Poorna Market said the prices might stabilise in the coming weeks.