Bengaluru: Avocado price jumps from Rs 80 to Rs 300/kg

Bengaluru: Avocado, one of the more trendier fruits, has hit an all-time high on the price front: It is being sold at around Rs 300 per kg.

Commonly known as butter fruit, the price of this seasonal fruit has skyrocketed because of increase in demand and fall in supply. Demand is triggered by health-conscious Bengalureans who consume its juice for high nutritional value or use it as a cosmetic.

Several fruit sellers recounted how the price of butter fruit increased from Rs 60-80/kg a year ago to Rs 120-130/kg six months back, to Rs 180 in August-September to Rs 260-300 now.

“It is a seasonal fruit grown in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka during June and September. But the demand has only been rising since most dietitians and nutritionists recommend it. Now with supply being low, price has gone up,” said Noor Mohammed, a wholesale fruit trader.

Many retailers have stopped procuring avocados. Ajaz Mohammed, a fruit stall owner in Russell Market, said they are unable to make any profit because the wholesale price of the fruit is Rs 200/kg and their profit is less than Rs 25.

What has hit the supply chain is heavy rain that affected the crop in several parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka’s Kodagu. It has had a ripple effect: Juice shops, which were one of the largest buyers of avocado, had stopped selling its juice or milkshakes. Some shops do sell it but have increased the price.

Vinod Kumar, fitness expert and trainer at Golden Arrow Gym, RR Nagar said butter fruit is suggested after a workout as it cools down the body and helps counter muscle spasms.

Drumsticks cost Rs 350/kg

The price of drumsticks has gone up nine times from the rate of Rs 40/kg. The veggie, which is considered good for health and fertility, has touched an all-time high of Rs 350 now.