Global flavours tingle tastebuds as Nagpurians ‘cherry-pick’ exotic fruits

Nagpur: Once a rare indulgence reserved only for the wealthy or the well-travelled, exotic fruits have now taken over not just Nagpur's bustling wholesale markets but also the city's countless roadside fruit stalls. Shoppers walking through Cotton Market, Kalamna Market, or Santra Market can spot crates of imported avocados from Peru, shiny dragon fruit from Vietnam, boxes of blueberries, and bright mandarins from Australia. What's truly striking is how these once-exclusive delights have filtered down to small vendors in local neighbourhoods and even street corners.Where earlier only mangoes, bananas, guavas, or seasonal local fruits filled the baskets of street vendors, today it's common to find gleaming mandarin oranges from the US and Australia, imported plums from Spain and Italy, juicy pears from the USA and South Africa, or crunchy New Zealand and Washington apples proudly displayed at roadside stalls. Adding to this vibrant mix are red grapes from South Africa and Spain, bringing even more international colour to local markets.Even in modest neighbourhoods, shoppers can now easily pick up a Peruvian avocado for Rs150 apiece, a Vietnamese dragon fruit for Rs120, a box of blueberries for Rs120, or imported apples for Rs260–280 per kilo. This is a far cry from just a few years ago when such fruits were seen as inaccessible luxuries."There's a big demand for these exotic fruits now, not just in the major markets but even on the streets," says Ziad, a vendor in Gokulpeth and adds, "Customers want variety, and they ask for these fruits by name." Rupesh Bobate, who sells fruits at Cotton Market, explains that although wholesale hubs like Kalamna bring in these imported goods, many street sellers now buy small batches to meet local demand.Vendors point out that imported varieties often come with better packaging and durability, meaning there's less wastage and better profit margins, even for smaller sellers. For example, while Indian apples sell for Rs100–Rs180 per kilo in season, the imported ones fetch a premium price and attract a growing customer base."While Nagpur oranges are limited to the season, the mandarin oranges, which are more juicy, are available throughout the year," says a local fruit vendor at Narendra Nagar. Meanwhile, beloved local fruits like mangoes — Kesar from Gujarat, Alphonso from Ratnagiri, Dasheri from Hyderabad — continue to hold their seasonal charm. "Mango season is a celebration for families," says Amol Wankhede, a regular shopper at both Cotton Market and local roadside stalls. "But it's also exciting to see fruits we once only saw on TV or in big stores now right here at the street corner," he adds.Vegetables, on the other hand, remain largely domestic, with even specialty items like purple cabbage, broccoli, or capsicum being sourced from within India, mainly from hubs like Hyderabad and Mumbai. Vendors note that vegetable supply stays steady throughout the year, though the cooler months favour certain varieties.Not all sellers carry exotic fruits — refrigeration, cost and fast turnover remain challenges. But even so, local sellers estimate that about 40% of customers now specifically ask for these global flavours. In addition to physical markets, online shopping websites and delivery apps have joined the trend, offering doorstep delivery of exotic fruits like blueberries, avocados, imported grapes, plums, and pears, further expanding access to these once-rare treats.