Price of jackfruit spirals up in Mysuru

Mysuru: Amid a fall in chicken rate, the price of tender jackfruit has increased four folds in the city market in the past few days. An average sized tender jackfruit, which was sold for Rs 5-10 two weeks ago, is now being sold for Rs 20 to 40.
According to the vendors, the sudden spike in the rate is due to a huge demand for the tender jackfruit from neighbouring states including Maharashtra while others feel that a low yield resulted in the price hike.
G Karunakaran, principal scientist & incharge head, central horticultural experiment station, Hirehalli, Tumakuru, confirmed the sudden spurt in the rate. “The tender jackfruit, which was available for Rs 5 and 10 have reached Rs.40,” he said.
“The tender jackfruit have several health benefits. That could be the reason for the huge demand in the market,” he said.
“I don't know the exact reason for the rate increase. But from Tumakuru market, tender jackfruit is supplied in huge quantity to Maharashtra,” he said.
Even local growers in Mysuru said that there is a sudden increase in the demand for the tender jackfruit and the rate is also very attractive. “Earlier, we used to sell them through vendors. But now the agents are approaching us. For a kilogram, we are offered nearly Rs 20-.25. Earlier, it was just Rs 5. The agents are saying that the demand has increased in Tamil Nadu, Andhra, etc, said Siddramappa, a farmer from Kemmanahalli on Bogadi-Gadige Road.
A few experts feel that the sudden jump in the rate may be the result of low yield. “Compared to previous years, this year, the yield is less. That may be the one of the reasons for the rate increase,” said G Krishnaprasad of Sahaja Samrudha organisation.