The intensifying summer heat in India has led to a rise in lemon prices, with retail costs reaching approximately $0.10 to $0.12 per lemon. Increased demand from juice vendors, sherbet sellers, and household consumers has contributed to this price hike.
Lemons are primarily cultivated in Barshi (Solapur district) and Rashin (Ahilyanagar district). As temperatures rise, demand has increased while supply remains limited. A month ago, around 2,500 sacks of lemons were arriving daily from Solapur and Ahilyanagar in the wholesale market. Currently, arrivals have decreased to 1,500–1,600 sacks per day. Each sack contains between 300 and 400 lemons, depending on their size.
With high demand and limited supply, retail prices have surged. "Each lemon now sells for $0.10 to $0.12 based on quality," says a lemon trader from Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Market Yard.
Lemon cultivation requires significant water resources, and ongoing water scarcity due to extreme heat has impacted production. As summer progresses, demand for lemons is expected to rise further, particularly from juice vendors and cold drink sellers.
To meet demand, supply from Hyderabad and Chennai has increased. Every summer, South Indian states send lemons to Mumbai and Pune to capitalize on high demand and better prices.
Source: The Bridge Chronicle