Pune: The intensifying summer heat has led to a sharp rise in lemon prices, with the retail cost reaching ₹8 to ₹10 per lemon. The surge in demand from juice vendors, sherbet sellers, and household consumers has contributed to this price hike.
Increased Demand and Limited Supply
Lemons are primarily cultivated in Barshi (Solapur district) and Rashin (Ahilyanagar district). As the summer heat intensifies, demand has skyrocketed, while supply remains constrained.
A month ago, around 2,500 sacks of lemons were arriving daily from Solapur and Ahilyanagar in the wholesale market. However, current arrivals have dropped 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, with each lemon now selling for ₹8 to ₹10 based on quality, says a lemon trader from Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Market Yard.
Water Shortage Impacting Lemon Cultivation
Lemon cultivation requires large amounts of water, and the ongoing water scarcity due to extreme heat has affected production. As summer progresses, demand for lemons is expected to rise further, particularly from juice vendors and cold drink sellers.
Supply from Hyderabad and Chennai to Meet Demand
With lemon prices rising across Maharashtra, including in Mumbai and Pune, farmers from Hyderabad and Chennai have started supplying lemons to wholesale markets. Every summer, South Indian states send lemons to Mumbai and Pune due to high demand and better prices.