India: Papaya in demand as it helps fight Dengue
Consumption of papaya is considered beneficial and so the fruit is always in good demand. These days, doctors advice the suspect Malaria and Dengue patients to eat Papaya so as to increase blood platelets, which is also a reason for the sudden demand. However, the fruit is in short supply during the winter. While the fruit sells at Rs 18-20/kg in the wholesale market, the cost escalates in retail market. Several vendors at Naupada and fruit market in Jambhli Naka were selling the fruit at a premium between Rs 50-80/kg.
Sanjay Pansare, director of APMC agreed the supply was less, but expressed surprise at the difference in rates in the Thane retail markets. "The number of trucks arriving with papayas has dropped to 15 from 40-50." It is surprising that the fruit sells at such a premium in the city market as the rates are not as high in Mumbai where you get the fruit for Rs 35-40/kg," he said. Meanwhile, regulars continue to patronize the fruit despite it costing more. "We have the fruit daily as it is good for health. The fruit becomes a rarity in this season but the rates are high this year," said Sunil Gupta, a Kapurbawdi resident.
Source: indiatimes.com
