Tomato made trouble, now banana is creating ruckus, prices crossed 100

After the prices of tomatoes, now the prices of bananas are increasing. According to statistics, the price of banana has reached Rs 100. According to the experts, the increase in the prices of bananas is more demand than supply.

After vegetables, now the price of banana has started creating ruckus. An increase in the prices of bananas is being seen. Banana prices have increased up to Rs 100 per kg in Bengaluru. Fluctuations in supply and demand are believed to be the reason for the rise in the price of bananas. Bangalore is heavily dependent on Tamil Nadu for a major part of its banana supply.

Bengaluru APMC secretary, Rajanna said in a media report that the city's consumption is dominated by two primary varieties, Elakkibel and Pachabale. The balance between demand and supply fluctuates. At present, the supply from Tamil Nadu is very less. About 30 days ago, 1,500 quintals of Ellakkibel variety were found in the Binnipet market. Whose number has come down to 1,000 quintals at present.

According to the Bengaluru APMC, the city's supply network also extends to Tumakuru, Ramanagara, Chikkaballapura, Anekal and Bengaluru Rural. Rajanna said that Tamil Nadu makes its supplies from Hosur and Krishnagiri. Due to disruption in interstate supplies, wholesale prices of Elakki bananas are currently Rs 78 per kg, and Rs 18-20 per kg for pachabale. Taking into account the transportation and marketing expenses, the retail prices have increased by Rs 100 and Rs 40 respectively.

Increase in seasonal demand

As festivals like Onam, Ganesh Chaturthi and Durga Puja approach, the demand for bananas increases. Hanumantharayappa, the owner of Bayareveshwara Banana Shop in Nagasandra, said in a media report that our supply comes from different parts of Karnataka, in which Shivamogga is the main contributor. As festivals approach, the increasing demand exceeds our production. The challenge is to refill the stock, and we anticipate a steep rise in prices in a few days.

Are middlemen playing?

Information received from farmers suggests that middlemen and traders may be the reason for this increase. Chinappa Palandira, a banana grower from Kodagu, said that despite significant production of bananas in Bengaluru's neighboring districts like Kodagu, Mysuru and Hassan, bananas do not reach the city properly.

Palandira explained that we pay around Rs 25 per kg for the transport. Transport is a hassle. With Bengaluru only 100-200 km away from these hilly areas, we require organized, small trucks to transport our produce.

Prakash Kammardi, former chairman of the Karnataka Agricultural Price Commission, expressed surprise at the supply-demand mismatch. He said that it seems that if there is a supply-demand disparity and farmers are not getting favorable prices, then there is deliberate manipulation of the market.