Summer arrives but at a price

Due to the pandemic, prices of watermelon, ice apple and sugarcane juice have seen a rise

As the average day temperature borders around 33-34 degrees Celsius, people make pit stops at stalls conveniently located near traffic signals and crossroads, to gulp tender-coconuts, grab a slice of watermelon or sip sugarcane juice to beat the heat.

A worker at a sugarcane stall in the city, L. Murugesan says that it is a seasonal business that peaks during summers. “On an average, I serve 50 customers a day which I hope will increase in the coming months,” he says.

As overall rates have increased considerably after the pandemic, a glass of sugarcane juice is now being sold at ₹20, which was sold previously for ₹15, he says.

“I have a lot of customers dropping in mostly from noon until 4 p.m.,” he adds.

In prime areas of the city, tender coconuts are now being sold for ₹50 to ₹60, especially ones with ‘more water’ and with Pollachi tag, but along the banks of Vaigai the price drops to ₹20.

When asked about the difference in price, Ganesan, a vendor selling tender coconuts in Lakshmipuram and Ismailpuram, says the price depends on the size. “Earlier, we procured coconuts for ₹15 to ₹20, but now we have to pay more than ₹30 invariably,” he says.

Right from January, watermelons would start flooding the market and the stock would be intact until May, says T. Karunanidhi, who has been selling watermelons and mangoes in Yannaikal market for 35 years.