Konni (Pathanamthitta): As the Koyambedu market in Chennai is closed, fruit farmers and merchants in the district are in a crisis. Fruits like mangosteen and rambutan were cultivated on a large scale in the eastern region. Mangosteen season is during the months of May, June and July.

The farmers can earn upto Rs 1 lakh through sales of mangosteen fruits. There are small scale farmers who make a living with one year's profit. When the Koyambedu market was closed due to COVID threat, mangosteen exporters also withdrew from the industry. Earlier, mangosteen used to be sent from here to Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Mumbai besides being exported to foreign countries.

As each season offers a huge amount of profit, the merchants used to approach farmers with a competitive mind. Also the merchants who buy rambutan fruits have not come this time. Both mangosteen and rambutan farmers are facing huge loss this season. A sales fair is planned in Konni panchayat in order to help mangosteen and rambutan farmers.