Lemons go luxury in Hyderabad: ₹250/kg, near chicken rates!
HYDERABAD: Lemon prices have risen sharply in Hyderabad, with retail rates reaching ₹220-250 per kg, bringing them close to chicken prices. Rates of most other vegetables, however, have remained largely stable, as reported by DC.
Online delivery platforms were selling lemons at around ₹320-340 per kg, while supermarkets were charging about ₹340 per kg. Chicken was available at around ₹250 per kg in retail markets.
Consumers said the price rise had affected their purchases. “I got six lemons for ₹40. Earlier, we used to get the same quantity for ₹20,” said Ananthula Rahul.
Traders cite lower supplies from Karnataka and Maharashtra
At Monda Market in Secunderabad, lemons were selling at ₹220-250 per kg. Vendor Sunil said supplies were mainly coming from Karnataka and Maharashtra.
Trader Syed Khadir said lemon prices had risen over the past few weeks. “A month ago, lemons were selling at ₹140-150 per kg. Rates have gone up in the last 20 days,” he said.
Another trader, Sunil, said wholesale prices ranged from ₹150 to ₹180 per kg, while retail prices were between ₹200 and ₹250. “Supply from Andhra Pradesh is less, and we are sourcing lemons from Maharashtra and Karnataka,” he said.
Vendor Latha said customers continued to ask for two lemons for ₹10 or ₹20, but such prices were not feasible at current rates. She added that beans were also selling at ₹100 per kg.
Andhra production hit by rainfall shortage and dry borewells
At Bowenpally market, lady’s finger was selling at ₹40 per kg, tomatoes at ₹20, ivy gourd at ₹250, cucumber at ₹20, green chillies at ₹40 and beetroot at ₹50. “Prices have increased slightly compared to last week,” said vendor Sujatha.
A report from Andhra Pradesh also said lemon prices had risen above chicken rates, with retail prices touching ₹250-300 per kg amid a decline in production. Skinless chicken was selling at around ₹240 per kg, while medium-sized lemons were priced at ₹7-10 each.
Lemon cultivation is concentrated mainly in Nellore and Kadapa districts, followed by Nandyal on a smaller scale. The state is estimated to have around 22,000 hectares under lemon cultivation.
Farmers said prolonged lack of rainfall and drying borewells had severely affected production this year. In several areas, lemon orchards have reportedly dried up because of inadequate water availability.
B Pulaiah, a farmer from Lingala mandal in the Pulivendula Assembly constituency, said he had maintained a lemon orchard on four acres for five years but had received virtually no crop this year.
“There has been no rainfall and our borewells have dried up. As a result, there is hardly any yield from the orchard this year,” he said.
