Banana prices have now dropped by 75 pc

PUNE: Having touched a record high in summer, banana prices have now dropped by 75%. The arrivals at Delhi’s Azadpur fruit and vegetable mundi were less by about 50% from February to May this year compared to the same period of the previous year. The fruit, which was selling upward of Rs 40/dozen in the retail markets in cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Pune is now available for less than Rs 25.

The wholesale banana prices touched Rs 17 a kg on May 1 in Jalgaon and Bhusawal region of Maharashtra, that feeds the north Indian markets. “This was close to double the last year’s rate of Rs 9 a kg on the same day,” said Sunil Patil, president of Yawal cooperative fruit sellers’ society, Jalgaon.

Banana production in Maharashtra was hit by climatic changes. Bhagwat Patil, president of All India Banana Growers’ Association, said, “Banana acreage was reduced and the planting was delayed in north Maharashtra due to very high temperatures last year. The availability of fruits was hardly 20% in the summer season.” Though the prices have dropped by 75%, they are expected to move up again from July onward.

Santosh Seth, banana trader from Raver in Jalgaon, said, “Banana prices have come down to Rs 3.5 to 4 a kg mainly due to improvement in arrivals and cheaper availability of other fruits like mangoes. The prices are likely to go up again from July onward.”