look news india
New Delhi: The heat of the ongoing fierce conflict in West Asia and the Iran war has now reached Indian farms. Due to stagnation of exports in Gulf countries, the sweetness of ‘watermelon’ seems to be fading in the fruit markets of the country. In this holy month of Ramzan, when there was usually a huge demand for Indian watermelon abroad, now the domestic markets are flooded with the goods due to supply stoppage. The result is that watermelon prices have fallen drastically, causing a huge economic crisis for farmers and traders.
‘Brake’ imposed on exports in Ramadan, watermelons piled up in markets
Every year, huge quantities of watermelons and melons are sent from India to Gulf countries like Qatar, UAE, Bahrain and Oman. Consumption of fruits increases significantly in these countries during Ramadan, but this year the Iran war has spoiled the whole equation. Due to the war, insecurity in sea routes and restrictions on airspace have stopped large shipments midway. The goods prepared for export are now being consumed in the local markets, due to which there is over-supply in the market and the prices have come down rapidly.
Condition of Azadpur Mandi: 29 percent decline in one month
The figures coming out from Delhi’s ‘Azadpur Mandi’, which is said to be Asia’s largest fruit and vegetable market, are shocking. The wholesale price of watermelon, which was around ₹ 3,275 per quintal in the month of February, has fallen to ₹ 2,301 by March. This means that within just one month there has been a huge decline of 29% in prices. However, experts say that the prices are still slightly better than last year’s ₹ 1,482 per quintal, but the loss due to stoppage of exports is not able to compensate for it.
Debate broke out on social media, price reached ₹7 per kg
The debate on the falling prices of watermelon has also intensified on the social media platform ‘X’. Karnataka’s leading agri-entrepreneur Aruna Urs has claimed that the price of watermelon has fallen to just ₹7 per kg in many rural areas. Farmers say that till some time ago the premium quality watermelon was being sold for ₹ 25 per kg, now the traders are not ready to buy it even for ₹ 6-7. Due to not being able to cover the cost, farmers are now looking very disappointed about their crops.
No relief for common man: Recession in markets, apps still hit by ‘inflation’
The surprising thing is that despite falling prices in wholesale markets, common consumers are not getting any special benefit from it. On one hand, farmers are forced to sell their crops at throwaway prices, while on ‘quick commerce’ platforms like Blinkit, Zepto and Swiggy Instamart, watermelon prices are still skyrocketing. In Delhi and NCR areas, watermelon is being sold for over ₹100 per kg on online apps, while in Bengaluru it is around ₹80. Due to the huge margins of middlemen and online platforms, retail customers are still deprived of the benefits of cheap fruits.
