Pineapple shortage pushes prices up again in Kerala
Kottayam: Pineapple prices are gradually recovering after a sharp dip in the market. Special grade pineapple, which had dropped below ₹20 last month, is now selling at ₹50. Meanwhile, the price of green pineapple stands at ₹48, and regular fruit is priced at ₹30.
Currently, there are no ripe pineapples in the plantations and farmers remain unprofitable. If the situation prevails, the price will further increase. The price of the fruit ranged between Rs 55 and Rs 60 by the end of March. In early April, the price was above Rs 50. But the price has gradually fallen.
The price has reached its lowest level in the first week of May. Special grade pineapples were collected from the plantations for Rs 18- Rs 20, where the green and fruit were priced at Rs 15- Rs 18 and under Rs 15, respectively.
Since production was higher than the previous year's demand, many people were selling at a low price. The state used to export up to 2,000 tons, but now exports are up to 300-400 tons per day.
The Pineapple Growers Association claims that the main reason for this year's price drop is that the arrival of summer rains made production double compared to the previous year.
Farmers and traders say that production is likely to return to normal only by mid-August.
Reasons for the price dip
- Spike in the production rate compared to previous years.
- Need for pineapple in North Indian market fell.
- High production rate of mangoes caused a setback.
- Tourist arrivals have decreased following Pahalgam attack.
- Traders were reluctant to buy pineapples from farmers.
Reasons for price hike
- Ripened Pineapples are not available in fields.
- Decline in import of mangoes.
- There is a wait time of around two months for the harvest.
Price will still rise
Baby John, president of the Pineapple Growers Association, said that there is a shortage in the availability of pineapples. It will take at least two months for pineapples to reach the market in large quantities. The price will increase further in the coming days according to customer demand.