Arecanut, raisin prices increase by 30% due to heatwave, high demand in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: The sharp, nutty bite of arecanuts and the mellow sweetness of raisins might be a treat for the palate. However, the prices of both have surged by nearly 30%, leaving consumers with a bitter aftertaste.
The price hike is primarily because of extreme heat hitting production, with the marriage season also driving up demand.The city gets its supply of arecanut from districts such as Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, Udupi, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Chitradurga, and Davanagere. Karnataka alone cultivates nearly 7 lakh hectares, producing 11 lakh tonnes annually, making it one of the top producers of arecanut in the country.Shankar, a trader from Banashankari, said, "Prices have gone up by Rs 10-15, with the new variety now at Rs 470 per kg, because imports were stopped and local production is down by almost 30%. Supply reduced, and demand is up — just like during the Covid period, when we saw prices rise by nearly Rs 100."Mahesh Puchhappady, president of All India Arecanut Growers' Association, said, "Due to heat and less rainfall, production dropped by 50%, especially in regions like Mangaluru, where we haven't seen such losses in at least 50 years. The heat affected fruit setting and led to its drop. Smaller fruits have taken over, and with the marriage season adding to demand, prices jumped to Rs 465 per kg for the new variety and Rs 510 for the old — compared to last year's Rs 420-430 and Rs 475-485, respectively."Four-fold rise for raisins Raisins have also become significantly more expensive. The state ranks second in grape cultivation after Maharashtra, and over 70% of its raisin growers hail from Vijayapura alone. But the price of raisins has surged fourfold, thanks to reduced supply.A trader from Rajajinagar said, "Prices have touched Rs 495 per kg because the availability in the market is low. Besides, the marriage season pushed up demand." Himanshu Shah, a trader from KR Market, said, "Raisin prices have gone up because of a sharp drop in crop yield — nearly 50% less this year — especially in regions like Nasik, Sangli, and Tasgaon, driving the prices up."Mohammed Idrees Choudhury, a raisin trader from Russell Market, said, "Two months ago, raisins were selling at Rs 280 per kg wholesale. Today, it's around Rs 400, and the long variety has touched Rs 480. The demand is strong, but supply drastically fell."Other dry fruits have not spared consumers' pockets either, with cashews, dates and almonds becoming costly over the past two months. Himanshu Shah added, "Dry fruits like cashew have gone up in prices because of import issues. Most cashews are sourced locally and from countries like Benin in Africa. Dates come from Dubai, and almonds have seen a small rise because of low rainfall in California. The price per kilo has gone up by 20% for all dry fruits."
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