Fruit and Vegetable Prices Dip in Pune’s Market Yard; Some Fruits See Price Hike
Market Yard, 5th January 2025: The prices of several fruits and vegetables, including peas, tomatoes, cauliflower, cabbage, and ginger, have seen a noticeable decline in Pune’s Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Market Yard, thanks to an increase in arrivals from both local and out-of-state suppliers. Traders have reported that while some essential commodities have become more affordable, other fruits such as oranges, sugarcane, and watermelon have experienced price hikes.
On Sunday, approximately 90 to 100 trucks loaded with various fruits and vegetables arrived at the wholesale market, further contributing to the price adjustments. The supply included produce from states across India, including Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Rajasthan.
According to Vilas Bhujbal, a senior commissioning agent at the Market Yard, the surge in supply was driven by the arrival of 10 to 12 tempos of green chillies from Karnataka, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh; 4 to 5 tempos of cabbage from Karnataka and Gujarat; and 3 to 4 tempos each of ghevda and pavta from Karnataka.
Additionally, the market received substantial quantities of carrots from Rajasthan, peas from Madhya Pradesh, and garlic from Madhya Pradesh. Local produce also made its way into the market, including okra, guava, and onions from Pune division, along with tomatoes and potatoes sourced from Indore and Agra. The influx of vegetables and fruits from across India is expected to stabilize the prices in the coming days.
Price Drops in Leafy Vegetables
One notable trend observed by traders in the vegetable section is the reduction in prices for leafy vegetables. The increased supply has led to a drop in prices for items like coriander, fenugreek, shepu, mint, amaranth, and spinach. Traders reported receiving over 1.5 lakh pairs of coriander and 80,000 pairs of fenugreek, contributing to the price reduction.
The wholesale prices for leafy vegetables in the market now range as follows:
- Coriander: ₹400-800 per hundredweight
- Fenugreek: ₹400-700 per hundredweight
- Shepu: ₹500-700 per hundredweight
- Onion: ₹500-800 per hundredweight
- Spinach: ₹600-1000 per hundredweight
- Amaranth: ₹400-600 per hundredweight
- Mint: ₹300-700 per hundredweight
- Flax: ₹400-700 per hundredweight
In contrast, prices for roots and other vegetables like radish and chavali (a variety of beans) have remained stable, offering some relief to local buyers.
Price Surge in Certain Fruits
While many vegetables have become more affordable, the fruit market has seen an uptick in prices, especially for oranges, sugarcane, papaya, watermelon, and melon. Traders have cited various factors, including seasonal changes and higher demand, contributing to these price hikes.
On Sunday, the market saw a significant arrival of fruit, including 40 to 50 tons of oranges, 20 to 25 tons of pomegranates, 9 to 10 tempos of watermelon, and 2 to 3 tempos of melons. Additionally, the market received around 30 to 40 tons of mosambi (sweet lime), both old and new blossom varieties.
Some fruits, however, have maintained stable prices. Custard apples, pineapples, lemons, mosambi, and pomegranates continue to be available at consistent prices, with traders indicating that these fruits are unlikely to see significant price fluctuations in the near future.
In total, the wholesale market received:
- 6 trucks of pineapples
- 1,000 sacks of chickpeas
- 300-500 plastic crates of guava
- 7 to 8 tempos of papaya
- 1,300 sacks of lime
Market Stability Amid Fluctuating Prices
Despite the fluctuations, the overall market remains stable, with traders optimistic that increased arrivals will help balance prices in the coming weeks. The supply of essential vegetables like peas, tomatoes, and ginger, along with the steady influx of fruits, is expected to provide a more affordable shopping experience for consumers in the region.
However, the recent price surge in fruits like oranges and sugarcane may continue to impact buyers during this peak season.
