Kumbh effect: Demand for fruits escalates, prices up

Indore: Soaring demand for fruits in Ujjain for Simhastha has pushed up prices of fruits in Indore. Sniffing an opportunity to make a quick buck, traders are sending consignments to the holy city.
Almost 30% fruits, including grapes, water-melon, oranges, sweet lemon and mango are being sent to the holy city, leading to a significant rise in prices of fruits in Indore retail market.
With beginning of summer, consumption of fruits has gone up by almost 25% in the city. Indore Fruit Market Association has claimed the supply is less and poor production of fruits has hampered the supply.
Supply of fruits in Ujjain is further set to push up prices by more than 50%. "15 days ago, prices of fruits weren't so high. But as Simhastha is to begin soon, there will be a big demand for fruits from sadhus and pilgrims, who would stay there for more than a month, " said Naresh Fundwani, secretary, Indore Market Fruit Association.
The fruits are stored in old storages in Indore, Ujjain and Dewas. There are 52 cold storages of fruits in the region. "If supply of grapes is around 100 tonnes in city, almost 50 tonnes of it is supplied to Ujjain. If 60 tonnes of oranges are consumed in Indore, 30 tonnes are sent to Ujjain. There are some fruits, which are sent directly to Ujjain, but still a significant quantity goes from Indore," said Jagdish Bhilware, a retailer.
Consumers in city are feeling the price pinch and trying to balance their home budget. "Today, prices of essentials and basic needs of common man are getting costlier by the day. Fruits and vegetables prices have gone up, upsetting budget of common man," said Anamika Ghosh, a home-maker.