The fruit vendors at the Koyambedu wholesale market are upset this summer season as the sale of fruits is yet to pick up. While the wholesale and retail market of vegetables and flowers has bounced back to the pre-COVID levels, the sale of fruits is down by more than 20 per cent, rue traders at Koyambedu market.

“Though the summer fruits rate remains stable for over a month, the business is dull this year. Usually, the summer is the peak season for fruits like mangoes, watermelons, and musk melon, but this year the business is dull. The sale of fruits is dull since March and the trend continues,” said S Dhanasekar, president of Koyambedu Fruit Market Association.

“We are forced to dump tonnes of fruits every day and even the festivals fail to bring in revenue for the fruit traders. An increase in fruits cost is another reason affecting the business.

“We are unable to make a profit as there is no brisk sales for the past few months. If the situation remains like this, vendors may have to look out for other sources of income,” said U Kumarajan, a wholesale trader at Koyambedu market. He said it would take at least a month for the prices of fruits to decrease. If the sale remains dull, then it might increase further by 30 per cent.

Currently, mangoes are sold for Rs 60-70 per kg, watermelon, and muskmelon Rs 7-8 per kg, apple Rs 100 per kg, grapes Rs 50 per kg, and orange Rs 80 per kg.

Usually, the summer is the peak season for fruits like mangoes, watermelons, and musk melon, but this year the business is dull

—S Dhanasekar,

president, Koyambedu Fruit Market Assn