Pune: As summer temperatures soar, the demand for lemons in Pune has sharply increased, leading to a significant rise in prices. Retail prices have surged to ₹8 to ₹10 per lemon, driven by higher consumption from juice vendors, beverage sellers, and households seeking refreshment from the heat.
Pune mainly sources its lemons from Barshi in Solapur district and Rashin in Ahmednagar district. However, the extreme heat has affected the supply of lemons, causing a notable price increase. Previously, around 2,500 sacks of lemons arrived daily at the wholesale market. Today, that number has dropped to 1,500–1,600 sacks. Each sack typically contains 300 to 400 lemons, depending on the size.
Lemon farming requires significant water resources, and the ongoing water scarcity this summer has severely impacted production. This shortage has contributed to the tightening supply chain, further driving up prices. To meet the rising demand, lemons are being imported from southern cities like Hyderabad and Chennai. Farmers from these regions are capitalizing on higher prices in Pune by sending their produce during the summer months.
Market experts predict that if the current weather conditions persist, the price of lemons could continue to rise over the next few weeks. Consumers are encouraged to plan their purchases wisely and explore alternative cooling options to mitigate the effects of the ongoing price hike.
