The prices of lemons have risen in many parts of the country.
The price of lemon has seen a huge spike in the past week, with sales of around Rs 350 per kg in the wholesale vegetable market in Ghaziabad. Traders are surprised, saying that such prices are unprecedented.
According to news agency ANI, lemon is sold in Hyderabad for Rs 10 per kg. In Gujarat it is sold for Rs 200 per kg.
“Prices have become very high. We used to buy a whole bag of lemon for Rs 700 which now costs Rs 3,500. We are selling a single lemon for Rs 10 and no one is ready to buy it. No one is willing to accept that the prices have risen and are leaving without purchasing the lemons,” a salesperson told ANI.
Why are lemons getting expensive?
Traders blame the rise in vegetable tariffs on rising fuel prices. “In my 30 years of existence, lemons have been sold for up to Rs 150 per kilo, but they have never reached Rs 300 per kg. Diesel prices have increased transport costs by Rs 24,000 per truck,” said Tilak Saini, a wholesaler, told DailyExpertNews.
Just two weeks ago, the lemons were being sold for Rs 50-100 per kg.
Another wholesaler told ANI that the price increase is largely due to a shortage of supply and high demand during the ongoing summer season.
“Three weeks ago we sold lemons for Rs 60 per kg, which have now exceeded Rs 200 per kg, even in peak season, when both supply and demand are generally high,” the trader said.
“But production of the lemon crop has been lower this time and the demand is high because of Ramzan and because of the increase in temperature,” he added.
Are the prices of just lemons rising?
New. The prices of green peppers – indispensable in the kitchen – and vegetables such as bitter gourd have doubled in two weeks.
“Due to the constant rise in the prices of petrol, diesel and CNG, prices are skyrocketing, but our income is only decreasing,” customer Sonu Sharma told DailyExpertNews.
Several vendors have said they have stopped giving green chilies to customers for free.
