Fruit prices in India have continued to rise through 2025, pushing up household grocery costs. Inflation in the fruit category averaged 13.2% during the first nine months of the year, the highest in five years, according to an analysis by the Economic Times. This compares with 5.9% in 2024 and 3.9% in 2023.
In contrast, vegetable prices fell by 10.9% on average between January and September 2025, reversing a 24.9% rise during the same period last year. Overall retail inflation eased to 2.7%, down from 4.7% in 2024, while pulses and other food commodities showed moderate price movements.
Regional shocks and cold chain gaps
Analysts attribute the continued increase in fruit prices to supply disruptions, limited storage infrastructure, and cold chain deficiencies. "Imports cannot easily offset these disruptions, leading to persistent inflation in popular fruits despite overall food price moderation," said Paras Jasrai, associate director at India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra).
Fruits accounted for roughly 3.85% of monthly per capita consumption expenditure (MPCE) in rural areas and 3.87% in urban areas in 2023–24, highlighting their growing impact on household budgets.
Banana and apple prices under pressure
Banana prices recorded 8.1% inflation during January–September 2025, compared with 6.1% in the same period last year. Heavy rains and floods in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra damaged banana crops and disrupted supply. "This year's excessive rains have damaged the crop heavily," said BV Patil, president of the Banana Growers' Association of India.
Growers in Bihar, another major banana-producing state, have shifted to maize cultivation due to higher returns from its use in ethanol production. This shift further reduced banana supply in domestic markets.
Apple prices rose 12.2% on average, up from 10% in 2024, following floods in Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh that affected harvesting and distribution.
Other fresh fruits, including litchi, pears, singara, and berries, also faced higher inflation, averaging 13.9% this year compared with 6.5% in 2024.
With ongoing weather-related challenges and infrastructure gaps, fruit prices in India remain under pressure even as overall food inflation eases.
Source: Times of India
