Watermelon prices go up as mercury soars in Bengaluru

BENGALURU: With sweltering heat building up in the city, watermelons have got dearer as their sales are picking up.
Fruit merchants say watermelon sales are up this year when compared to last. Truckloads of watermelon and muskmelon are arriving at wholesale fruit hubs such as KR Market, Kalasipalya Market, Yeshwantpur, Madiwala and Hopcoms from southern parts of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. "Last week, watermelons were being sold at Rs 15-20 a kg. Now the cost has increased to Rs 20-30 a kg," said Ramanjaneya, a wholesale merchant from KR Market.
Hopcoms MD Umesh Mirji said: "Watermelon demand has increased compared to last week. We sell at least 3-4 tonnes of watermelons from our outlets every day. Last week, they cost Rs 14-19 a kg. This week, it has touched Rs 24 a kg."
There are about a dozen wholesale watermelon merchants in KR Market. According to wholesale fruit vendor Manjunath in KR Market, each watermelon weighs between 4kg and 12kg. "As of now, every wholesale dealer in KR Market is selling 150-250 tonnes of watermelons every day. As summer intensifies, the demand for melons will increase, which will push up the price."
"Light green watermelons, which are huge in size, are most in demand. Roadside vendors want melons weighing over 10kg. Now, farmers are being paid Rs 11-16 a kg of watermelon," said Syed Asif, a wholesale merchant.
As the mercury rises in the city, street vendors are selling cut watermelon at Rs 10 apiece. "Election-related events that see gatherings of party workers and supporters are behind the rising demand for cut watermelon pieces. Usually, we cut 100-120 watermelons a day, but due to election events there is a 25-30% rise in demand this time. Selling cut pieces of watermelon is a more profitable business than selling an entire fruit," said Abdul Wajid, a roadside melon vendor.