Summer Heat Drives Increased Demand for Juicy Fruits in Pune; Prices Increase

Pune, March 23, 2025 – With the rising summer heat, Pune residents are increasingly opting for juicy fruits to stay hydrated and energized. The demand for watermelon, muskmelon, pineapple, mango, sweet lime, pomegranate, and grapes has surged as people prefer fruits and juices to combat the scorching temperatures.

According to traders at Pune’s Market Yard, fruit arrivals have slightly decreased compared to last week, leading to a 5-10% price hike for watermelons and muskmelons. Grapes, in particular, are priced higher due to lower supply this season. Major suppliers for these fruits include Pune’s suburbs, Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani, Pimpri-Chinchwad, as well as regions like Sangli, Satara, Kolhapur, Belgaum, and Goa.

Speaking about market trends, trader Pandurang Supekar noted, “Compared to last year, watermelons and muskmelons are seeing higher demand this season. The number of buyers is increasing as temperatures rise, and supply is expected to grow in the coming days.” Another trader, Arvind More, added, “Juicy fruits like grapes, sweet lime, and pomegranate are highly preferred during summer, and this demand will likely continue until the season ends.”

Wholesale Arrivals

• Watermelon & Muskmelon: 70-80 tempos from Shrigonda, Daund, Solapur, Satara, Karad, Shirur, Karjat, and Karnataka.
• Sweet Lime: 40-50 tons from Aurangabad, Ahmednagar, and Solapur.
• Oranges: 50-60 tons from Amravati and Nagpur.
• Pineapple: 5-6 truckloads from Kerala.
• Pomegranate: 30-35 tons from Pune, Solapur, Nashik, and Ahmednagar.
• Grapes: 20-25 tons from Baramati, Sangli, and Solapur.
• Lemons: 1,500-2,000 sacks from Pune, Solapur, and Ahmednagar.

Market Prices (Per Kg)

• Wholesale Rates:
  • Watermelon: ₹7-12
  • Muskmelon: ₹10-18
  • Sweet Lime (per dozen): ₹150-300
  • Oranges (10 kg): ₹300-1,000
  • Pomegranate: ₹60-180
  • Grapes: ₹80-120
• Retail Rates:
  • Watermelon: ₹20-25
  • Muskmelon: ₹20-30
  • Sweet Lime: ₹80-100
  • Oranges: ₹80-120
  • Pomegranate: ₹100-300
  • Grapes: ₹80-120

The price of lemons has surged due to increased summer demand, with one lemon being sold for ₹10 in retail markets. Traders indicate that the current trend will persist as the summer heat continues to intensify.