Lemon Prices Cross ₹300 Per Kg In Ahmedabad As Monsoon Supply Falls

Lemon prices have surged to around ₹300 per kilogram in Ahmedabad's retail markets, putting another squeeze on household budgets as traders blame declining supplies and steady demand for the sharp rise.

The increase has been particularly steep over the past 15 days. Lemons that were selling for around ₹80 per kg about a month and a half ago are now nearly four times as expensive, prompting consumers to cut back on purchases and buy only what they need.

The unusual spike has also come during the monsoon, when lemon prices are not typically expected to reach summer-like highs.

Wholesale Prices Also Rise

The price increase is not limited to retail markets. Wholesale lemon prices in Ahmedabad have climbed to approximately ₹120-200 per kg, compared with around ₹80-160 per kg in early September.

Traders attribute the increase primarily to a sharp fall in supply, along with continued demand for lemons.

According to market sources, the elevated prices could persist until Diwali if supplies do not improve.

Weather Conditions Affecting Supply

Gujarat is among India's major lemon-producing states, with cultivation spread across around 40,000 hectares.

Mehsana and Bhavnagar are among the state's major lemon-producing centres. However, unstable weather conditions and rainfall shortages in parts of Saurashtra-Kutch and North Gujarat have affected production and the quality of the crop.

The decline in arrivals has consequently tightened supplies in both wholesale and retail markets.

Farmers Get ₹100-150, Consumers Pay ₹300

While consumers are paying up to ₹300 per kg in retail markets, farmers at marketing yards are reportedly receiving only around ₹100-150 per kg.

The wide gap between the price received by farmers and the amount paid by consumers has raised questions over the role of intermediaries in the supply chain.

Farmers are reportedly struggling to get remunerative returns even as consumers face sharply higher prices.

With retail prices largely determined by market conditions and without direct regulatory control over the prices charged to consumers, buyers are bearing the brunt of the surge.

For households already dealing with rising food expenses, the steep increase means even a small purchase of lemons is now adding noticeably to the monthly kitchen budget.