Mangalore: Fruit prices which are usually affordable and cheaper during the rainy season have already gone beyond the reach of common man even before the monsoon has set in. The major festivals have been celebrated without the necessary fruits which would otherwise be overflowing in all the households during the festivals.
The series of festivals has made fruits dearer to majority of the households. With major festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi, Ashtami which have recently been over and Ramzaan and Dasara round the corner, the prices of the fruits are going to register a further increase. The retail vendors plead helplessness as the prices are determined by the wholesalers who play according to the market forces of demand and supply. Although there has been no significant reduction in the number of customers, the fruit business however has remained at a low key this year, according to Basheer, a fruit vendor in Mangalore Central Market.
Customers on their part have considerably cut down the quantity of the purchase of fruit. They are managing with the bare minimum quantity required for certain ceremonies. They blame the vendors for deliberately raising the prices of fruits especially during the festival season.
Hindus cannot do without fruits during major festivals and as of now people have been forced to bargain even for fruits meant for their gods.
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