India: Banana prices hit 10-year low
Pachcha baale (big bananas) are the cheapest at Rs 12 a kilo, while nendra balehannu (the variety popular in Kerala) comes for Rs 40. The most in demand is the yelakki variety, which is now sold for about Rs 30.
Nagaraj (45), who has been in the vegetable and fruit business for 20 years, said, “Banana prices usually fall every summer and when the mango is in season. However, this time, because of rains, cultivation of banana crop has been high.”
Nagaraj runs a Hopcoms outlet in JP Nagar and says yelakki is the most popular among the banana varieties. “I sell at least 70 to 80 kilos a day. People buy yelakki because it can be eaten by everyone, from babies to senior citizens,” he said.
Keshav S H, general manager at Hopcoms, said, “The price is not helping farmers. They are selling regular green bananas at Rs 6-7 a kilo, and are at a loss.”
Source: newindianexpress.com
