Prices of fruits spiraling in Guwahati amidst COVID-pandemic time

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: During the pandemic time, prices of fruits are rising abnormally in the city. A customer said, "Prices of fruits are being raised unilaterally. The price of some fruits have risen by even Rs 40 to Rs 50 per kilogram."

As on date, the kilogram-wise price range of varieties of fruits are as follows: apples (between Rs 220 to Rs 250); angur or grapes (between Rs 160 to Rs 220); mousambi also known as sweet lemon or sweet lime (between Rs 120 to Rs 150); anar or pomegranate (between Rs 180 to Rs 250); modhuriam or guava (between Rs 100 to Rs 120); aam or mango (between Rs 130 to Rs 220); khejur or dates (Rs 200); and tormuj or watermelon (Rs 25 to Rs 50). Among the popular banana varieties 'malbhog kol' is being sold at Rs 90 per dozen and 'jahaji kol' at Rs 80 per dozen.

When asked for the reason as to why the prices of fruits are spiralling, a vendor said, "The prices are being hiked by the wholesalers. Our profit level is the same as before."

On the other hand, Abid Ali Hussain — a fruit wholeseller at Adabari here — told The Sentinel, "The price rise is quite natural during this part of the season. For example, except for 'aam' (mango), the season of most fruits is over now. Hence, while the price of aam will slowly slide, the prices of other fruits will rise in the following days.

"Most of the other fruits are being imported. The prices of some of these fruits are determined overseas. Besides, most of these fruits are brought from other States. The transportation charges are quite high now during the pandemic time with night curfew on in many States."

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