In India the price of lemons has increased dramatically, affecting the consumer and changing their habits of consumption. The websites that sell lemons list them priced at 225 a kilo Green grocers sell them at about Rs 250. However, the wholesale cost is Rs 100. The increase in price is due to the increase in consumption driven by warmer temperatures as well as religious fasting times including Ramadan or Navratri. In turn, many restaurants and cafes have withdrawn lemons from their menus, and families are replacing the fresh lemonade they buy with instant versions.

The Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) says that the city’s lemon consumption is about 55 tons However, demand for the season has been up by 40% because of the weather as well as festivals, and supply shrinking to about 40 tons. Gujarat only contributes about 7% of this and the bulk of it is imported from outside. APMC Secretary Sanjay Patel, noted a shortage of lemons in Gujarat as the state is getting its supply mostly from Karnataka and barely meeting the requirements of a daily basis. Patel anticipates a reduction in wholesale costs towards the end of this month, with the release of fresh crops. Wholesale prices are currently varying between locations, with the most expensive retail rates being found in the west Ahmedabad locations like Bopal, Satellite, and Vastrapur with a price of about Rs 250 per kilogram.

(Rs 100 = EUR1.10 (Rs 100 = EUR1.00)

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com