Devotees are purchasing fruits in the day time due to Covid restrictions on sale after 7pm. Wholesale traders said that for next one week the prices will continue to increase, however, after than prices are likely to be stabilised.
“Usually people come to the markets in the evening before discontinuing their fast and purchase fruits. But due to Covid-19 and its restrictions since Tuesday evening, we saw increase in the demand for fruits. Also we saw a good number of customers in the morning. The sudden spike in the demand increased the prices in wholesale and retail markets,” said Mehmood Qureshi, a wholesaler of fruits at the Muhana Mandi.
Vikas Jhalani, a wholesale fruit trader at Sodala vegetable market, said, “Earlier, we were selling grapes between Rs 60 and Rs 70 per kg. Now, prices have gone up to Rs 100 per kg. Similarly, papapya and watermelon were Rs 20 per kg and are now sold in Rs 40 per kg in the retail market. Customers are purchasing fruits in bulk amid rumours of lockdown.”
Similarly, safeda variety of mangoes were earlier sold at Rs 60-70 per kg. Now, they were available for Rs 80-100 per kg. The prices of muskmelon till Tuesday were Rs 15 per kg and now it has gone up to Rs 25 per kg on Wednesday.
“I think the prices would be stabilised from next week onwards. Today, it was much of a panic buying which resulted in the increase in the prices and demand,” said Sitaram Saini, a fruit vendor at Jhotwara.
