Sharp Increase In Prices Of Watermelon Witnessed

RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th May, 2019 ) :The price of watermelon has surged sharply to Rs 40-50 per kg as compared to Rs 20-25 last year.

The main reason behind the increase in prices is sharp decline in production as the rains spell and hailstorm across the country in March-April have damaged the watermelon crop.

Besides, rising cost of transportation due to petrol prices hike has also resulted in increase in its price.

Rawalpindi Wholesale Fresh Fruit Association Subzi Mandi President Ghulm Qadir mir said currently a truck load of water-melon was now priced at Rs 200,000 to 250,000 depending upon its quality as compared to Rs 100,000 to 150,000 last year.

Due to drop in production, only 40-50 trucks were arriving daily from the producing areas in Rawalpindi as compared to 100-125 truck last year,he added.

The main production hub of this commodity is Larkana and Sukkur.

Water-melon also arrives from Sargodha and Lasbela. Currently, melon is coming from the areas of Punjab as its production has been destroyed in Sindh on large scale.

Ghulam Qadir said in view of increasing temperature and scorching heat and with the start of the holy month Ramadan, the demand of melon was increasing.

He said usually 10-15 per cent production of the fruit wasted during shipment, from producing areas to the wholesale market, while there are no actual estimate of wastage during sale at wholesale and retail markets.