CHENNAI: Come summer, residents of the city look to thirst-quenching fruits to beat the heat. Testifying to the popularity of fruits is the early morning bustle at Koyambedu fruit market, where wholesale and retail traders make the most of the demand for seasonal fruit at this time of the year. Fruits like sathukudi (sweet lime), musk melon, jackfruit, watermelon and mango are piled up through the market. Vendors from all over the city purchase large quantities of these every day, haggling over prices and picking out the best pieces.Ramesh R, owner of a retail stall, says that the fruits season has started late this year. “It varies every year, but the demand remains the same so we are not worried,” he says. Though the supply of fruits started only this month, as opposed to mid-April last year, the traders feel that their earnings will not be any less.The most popular buys are the different varieties of mango, followed by watermelon, sweet lime and musk melon, say traders. “This is what we gather from the purchases made by the retail market, especially the chain stores,” says S Ganesh, a wholesale dealer who specialises in watermelon at this time of the year.The watermelon comes from different parts of the country, and there are two types – the Mangalore watermelon and the usual variety that is more popular. The yellow-fleshed watermelon is also available. The wholesale rate for all varieties hovers around Rs 16 to 20, while in the retail market each is priced differently.Indigenous varieties of litchi, strawberry and peach are also in season, and are picked up by many customers. Manigandan, a wholesaler, says, “The litchis are from Kolkata and will be in season for a month-and-a-half more; the peaches are sourced from Kodaikanal and other hill stations. Strawberries from Sri Lanka arrive twice a week, and are very popular this year.” He says that fruit like mangosteen, starfruit and durian will be available during the next couple of months.Cucumber and papaya are hot favourites, bought by those who retail them from pushcarts and fresh fruits salad stalls.Customers at Koyambedu feel that making a trip to the market makes sense only if the quantity to be purchased is large. Kumar, a customer, said, “Most shops, even retail, fix a minimum purchase amount – a crate or 15 kilos. Of course, the price is a lot lower – one kg of litchis here costs Rs 180, whereas outside it costs more than Rs 200. The same is true of other fruits.” He adds that prices have gone up since last year – one kilo of watermelon which cost around Rs 11 last May now costs Rs 22 in retail.With many people looking for healthy alternatives to soft drinks available in the market, fruit seem to fit the bill. P Shanthi, a shopper at one of the retail vegetable and fruit stores, says, “Rather than buy cartons of fruit juice, this summer I made the effort to make fresh juice at home for my daughter. She seems to enjoy this more than the sugary, synthetic drinks available in the market.”
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