With summer at its peak, different varieties of fruits are on high demand and mango tops the list, irrespective of their cost. Apart from mango, Jamun, lychee, water melon and Indian plum are amongst the most popular fruits in this season.
However, the prices of these fruits are higher than that of last year’s. Traders said that the prices would automatically come down once supply of the fruits rise.
If one is an organic fruit aficionado, then he has to shell out exorbitantly to enjoy them. The cheapest organic fruit available in the market is "durian", a Malaysian fruit that at present costs Rs 400 per kg. Australian imported blueberry and blackberry are available for Rs 3,000 per kg.
"We have a variety of mangoes. The costliest mango is Alphonso and the cheapest is Safeda. A 3.5 kg pack of Alphonso is available for Rs 600. Most of the customers demand Jamun as it is considered great for summers. last summer Thai lychee was on high demand and when available, it was sold at a rate of Rs 200-300 per kg," said Ritu Batra, owner of 'A-One' Fruit Corner at INA market.
Some fruit sellers said the productivity of fruits determine their prices. They added that last year the production of mangoes and lychee was bad as compared to this year. "Mangoes this year were available in April and is expected to last till July. in certain areas, they may even last till August. It is, therefore, expected to be cheaper this year," said one of the vendors at INA market.
This year water melon's price has increased to Rs 20 per kg, whereas last year it was sold at Rs 15 per kg. Bangalore water melon costs Rs 30 per Kg. Many customers opt more for Indian plums as they are cheaper. South African plums -- big and luscious are mostly bought by affluent people. It ranges from Rs 300-350 per kg, whereas Indian Plums cost Rs 200 kg.
A high end — world fruit store at Defence Colony, mostly sells organic fruits. "All the fruits that we sell here are imported, if the fruit is from Italy, it is directly imported from there. Organic and exotic fruits are the costliest, like imported cherries cost Rs 2,870 per kg, and blueberry and blackberry are priced at Rs 3000 per kg," said a worker at the store.
Rohit Sachdeva, owner of Evergreen vegetable and fruit store at the INA market, said that in June, he stocks up to 30 varieties of mangoes. Most of them come in small quantities or are specifically ordered by customers. The most popular of the rare varieties are Totapuri and Ratol from Uttar Pradesh, Pyari from Gujarat, Malgovas from Tamil Nadu and Hamam from Hyderabad -- which is the most expensive mango of the, lot priced at Rs 350 per kg.