01 December,2015 07:24 AM IST | | Ankoor Anvekar
Unlike pulses and vegetables, oranges have flooded the fruit markets across the state resulting in tremendous fall in wholesale rates but retailers are still charging high prices
Orange lovers, now is the time to indulge! Thanks to excess production in Nagpur and Amravati belt, there is limitless availability of the fruit in markets across the state. The supply, which is 50% more than usual, has reduced the wholesale prices tremendously compared to last year.
Currently, oranges in the wholesale APMC market in Vashi are being sold at Rs 70-400 per box (8 dozens) depending on the size of the oranges and last year's price was Rs 200-800 per box.
Trucks carrying oranges lined up at the market
However, despite abundant supply and low wholesale price, the retailers' prime focus is to earn maximum profits by selling the fruit at high prices. On Monday, mid-day saw oranges being sold at not less than Rs 80-120 per dozen and Rs 60-80 per kg at few retail fruit markets.
Bumper supply
Due to abundant production this year, APMC fruit market gets on an average 80-90 trucks of oranges daily, with each truck carrying 9-14 tonnes. "The harvest of orange this year is very good and that's why the supply has increased by 50%. Also the prices have reduced to a great extent," said Balkrishna Shinde, a fruit trader at APMC market.
Price watch
While wholesalers say the rates have fallen owing to the limitless supply, retailers charge high prices. "The supply is tremendous this year and so the rates have been slashed. At times we have to sell them at much lower prices to clear the day's stock as everyday the market is getting close to 100 trucks of oranges than the usual 40-50.
The season will continue till January next year," said Vijay Dhoble, another fruit trader at APMC. "Other than the supply, we also have to consider factors like transport cost, helper's pay, stall rent," said Balu Jadhav, a retailer in Vashi.
