Not only recent rains have made life difficult for the public, but it has also brought down the fruits business at the Koyambedu market.
The foot falls at the Koyambedu market in Chennai have come down due to the recent continuous rains in Chennai. This has led to the decrease in the prices of fruits of about 30% now. This was mentioned by some fruit traders.
According to Mr. S. Dhanasekar, secretary of Koyambedu Vegetables, Fruits and Flower Merchants Association the sales have come down and the customers avoid fruits during the monsoon season. He added that the climate and temperature played a huge role in the fruit consumption. It must be taken into account that especially in the monsoon season the sales of citrus fruits would get affected. He concluded that it was the seasonal time for fruit such as pomegranates and apples etc.
It was then revealed by a wholesale dealer at the Koyambedu market that the customers do not come to buy fruits now . As a result, the rate and sales of fruits have reduced now. He spoke about how sweet lemon that was sold for Rs 70 per kg is now sold at Rs 50 per kg. He added that fruits that were sold for Rs 100 per kg last week are now sold for Rs 70 per kg.
From Rs 180 to Rs 220 per kg, the apple rates have now come down to Rs 160. Likewise from Rs 80 to Rs 90 per kg, the orange rates have now come down to Rs 70 to Rs 50 per kg. Pomegranates that were sold for Rs 220 last week are now sold for Rs 180.
Koyambedu market sources have mentioned that the best time for the fruit vendors was in the summer season where demand and price increased by 30 percent.