Lemon prices see a downfall in wholesale market

In spite of it being summer season and demand rising, the fruit is within common man’s reach

Veda Ramaswamy, Vashi

May 12, 2011 - DNA Navi Mumbai

At a time when the prices of fruits and vegetables are soaring in the wholesale market, there is a basic commodity whose price is on a decline. The prices of lemons in the wholesale market in Navi Mumbai have decreased by Rs 20 per kg since Tuesday.

The rates of lemons were Rs 45-Rs 65 per kg till Monday but currently, they are priced at Rs 25-Rs 45 per kg and are expected to decline further in future. Lemon traders cite excess of crop as the likely reason for the reduction of prices. “The cost of lemons has decreased from May 10 and will be on a decline till the year end,” said Chandrakant Mahamulkar, a lemon trader from Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC). However, as compared to last year, the prices have increased by Rs 15 per kg this time.

“The demand for lemons is more during summer as people purchase lemons to prepare fresh juice at home to quench their thirst in this scorching heat. Hence March and April form the peak season for sales and then the prices start declining gradually,” said Mahamulkar.

APMC receives 70 tonnes of lemons daily from various parts of India. During summer, most of the produce gets delivered from Andhra Pradesh while during monsoon and winter, they are transported from Karnataka and interior parts of Maharashtra.

The news of decrease in prices of lemons has brought some respite to Navi Mumbaikars. “Now we wouldn’t have to think twice before opting for a glass of chilled lemonade or using it for other medicinal home remedies,” said Ajit Jha, a resident of Nerul.