Lemons being sold at Rs 10 a piece as production declines in AP, Telangana, Karnataka

HYDERABAD: As the summer heat intensifies, consumers are feeling the heat of rising lemon prices, mirroring the upward trajectory of the mercury. The cost of lemons has skyrocketed, with the price of half a dozen lemons jumping from Rs 20 to Rs 40 overnight, while each lemon is now priced at Rs 10 each. Traders point to a decline in lemon production as the primary driver behind this price surge, particularly noting a significant drop in lemon yields in Karnataka, the leading producer of lemons.

In Karnataka, lemon production has plummeted by nearly 40 per cent this season, leading to a supply shortage that is being witnessed throughout the market. A month ago, large-sized lemons were commanding a price of Rs 2,000 per quintal in the wholesale market, a figure that has since soared to over Rs 7,000. This staggering 350 percent increase in prices within a month shows the severity of the production decline and its impact on market dynamics.

Lemons are predominantly cultivated in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana, with an estimated production of 7 lakh tonnes, 3 lakh tonnes, and 1.5 lakh tonnes respectively. Farmers in these states typically sell their produce locally and also export to destinations such as Surat, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Kolkata, and Chennai. However, adverse weather conditions, including erratic rainfall patterns and drought-like conditions, have hampered lemon cultivation this year, leading to a sharp decrease in yields and a spike in demand.

Traders caution that the current surge in lemon prices may persist and even escalate in the coming days, as the supply-demand imbalance continues to put pressure on prices.