Fruit Prices Drop After Chhath Puja: Bananas, Apples, and Oranges See Discounts in Ranchi Markets

Ranchi: The prices of fruits have begun to dip in markets across the city since Chhath Puja ended earlier this week, sellers reported on Friday. The surge in demand, which drove prices of bananas, apples, and oranges to record highs during the festival has now subsided, leading to a slight decline across city markets and wholesale mandis.According to vendors, the price of bananas, which was around Rs 60 per dozen during the peak festive period, has now fallen to Rs 40–Rs 50 depending on the variety. Similarly, oranges, which were priced at Rs 80 per kg a week ago, are now available at Rs 60 per kg. Apples, pomegranates, kiwis, and guavas have also seen a reduction of 10-25% in their prices.Fruit traders said the price correction was expected as the festival-driven demand normalised. “During Chhath, the supply was tight, and demand was at its highest. Now that the rush is over and regular sales have resumed, prices are settling down,” said Aakash Kumar Gupta, a fruit vendor at Ratu Road. He added that steady arrivals of fruit consignments from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal have further stabilised the market.Vendors shared that the inflow of fresh stock from wholesale mandis has improved over the past few days. Mohammad Noor, a fruit seller at Daily Market, said, "We expect prices to remain steady for the next few weeks, with a possibility of further reductions if supply continues without disruption."