Bananas get cheaper during Ramzan

NEW DELHI: In the month of Ramzan when prices of fruits shoot up due to increase in demand, Banana prices in wholesale markets of the national capital has come down by about 20 per cent.

It's a big respite for consumers especially during Ramzan as prices of fruits usually turn expensive during this month, traders said.

Banana prices went up hysterically last week. It was above Rs 25 per dozen in the retail market, and was quoted even above Rs 30 level in some areas.

In the Azadpur wholesale mandi it was being sold at Rs 14-15 per kg last week, while currently the prices are between Rs 10-12 per kg.

Banana is preferred for 'iftar' (the food eaten to break fast) as it is cheaper compared to other fruits like apple, oranges etc, said Sahid Nizam a local Muslim trader, adding that "the falling prices has definitely pushed up demand."

The prices has come down by Rs 3 per kg in the wholesale market due to humid weather in the Capital, which has hit the shelf-life of bananas badly, Banana Traders Association President Ramesh Vasandani said.

"If the humid climate continues over next week, banana prices might fall further," he added.

In the retail market, the prices are, however, still above Rs 20 a dozen in many areas, with some lower-quality bananas priced below this level.

The decline in prices, however, has not affected the margins of traders, as demand is also growing up, Vasandani said.