Poll heat, summer drive up sales of coolers in Madurai

Madurai: The twin surge of summer heat and election campaigning has boosted sales of seasonal refreshments such as ice apple, watermelon and tender coconut across the city, even as prices climb.Street vendors say demand has remained strong despite higher costs, driven by soaring temperatures and thirsty campaign crowds. Velaiamma, an ice apple seller who has been in the trade for a decade, attributed the price rise to labour shortages. "There is a shortage of tree climbers this year, and their wages have increased, pushing up costs," she said. She earns about ₹600 a day during the season, but profits rise to nearly ₹1,000 when campaign crowds pass through. "During campaigns, we make much more. We also expect good sales during the Chithirai festival," she added. Tender coconut prices have increased by ₹10 to ₹20, mainly due to higher transport costs. Nizamuddin, who runs a stall on Masi Street, said daily profits range between ₹1,000 and ₹2,000. "Whenever a campaign passes through, our profits go up by about ₹1,000. Cadres often call us to nearby spots to supply tender coconuts, which brings in more business," he said. However, he pointed to supply constraints. "We can stock only for two to three days at a time due to rising transport costs," he added, warning of further price increases as availability tightens. Watermelon vendors are facing similar challenges. Ajith, who sells cut fruit and juice from a pushcart, said supply remains uncertain. "We earn ₹800 to ₹1,500 a day, but campaigns help us make more as we move to busy locations," he said. He noted that campaign crowds can boost earnings by 25% to 50%. "People look for watermelon juice after rallies, so we stay open longer during election season," he added. Vendors expect prices to rise further as summer intensifies and supply remains constrained, though events like election campaigns and the Chithirai festival are likely to keep sales buoyant in the short term. MSID:: 130260010 413 |