Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Feb 18: As the holy month of Ramadhan commenced, prices of fruit and other essential items witnessed a sharp hike in Srinagar markets.
Shoppers said that prices of several fruits are already touching the sky making it difficult for families to manage daily purchases. “I came to buy oranges and bananas, but the prices are too high even before Ramadhan has started,” said Jehangir Ahmad, of Srinagar.
Another local Imran Ahmad, said fruits like guava, apples and mangoes have become expensive. “Every year prices rise before Ramadhan, but this time it has started too early,” he said.
Vendors however, blamed the hike on increased rates at the Mandi. “We are purchasing fruits at higher prices from the Mandi. Naturally, we have to sell them accordingly,” said Waseem Sofi a fruit seller.
“We are not overcharging, but the wholesale rates have gone up,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bashir Ahmad Basheer, Chairman of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers and Dealers Union (KVFGDU), said that the wholesale prices at the Mandi are normal. “We regularly issue official rate lists of fruits and vegetables. The prices are within the normal range and there is no unusual hike at the Mandi level,” he said, adding that retailers should follow the issued list.
As per the official wholesale fruit price list issued on 18th, February and accessed by KNO, the rates were as: Mango Safeeda (15 pieces) Rs: 100–102; Mango Totapuri (per piece) Rs: 60; Banana First Class (per dozen) Rs: 72–85; Dragon Fruit (per tray) Rs: 600–750; Guava Pink (per kg) Rs: 76–100; Guava (per kg) Rs: 50–55; Papaya (25 kg) Rs: 1050–1200; Kinow (per kg) Rs: 72–83; Watermelon (per chest) Rs: 23–53; American Apple (half peti) Rs: 140–264; Red Glow Apple (per dozen) Rs: 125–100; Kiwi (per piece) —; Payne Apple Raja (per number) —; Melon Sun (per kg) —; Melon Bobby (per kg) —; Pomegranates (per kg) —; Green Grapes (per chest) —; Maharaji Apple (per dozen) Rs: 100–125; Orange Dana (per chest) Rs: 191–112; Extraordinary Delicious (per chest) Rs: 212; Orange 141 Dana (per dozen) Rs: 140–161; Orange 171 Dana (per dozen).
Moreover, the association has urged traders to strictly adhere to the official rate list to avoid undue burden on consumers ahead of Ramadhan.
