KARACHI (February 27 2004): The prices of fresh fruit in retail have registered unprecedented hike due to the shortage created by short seasonal crops.

Three items are coming to the market from cold storage. These are apples, oranges (kinnos) and grape fruit. Fine quality of apple and grape fruit have practically disappeared from the market.

Fine quality of apple hardly available is only meant for a privileged class. Its price is ranging between Rs 60 and 70 per kg. It is unprecedented hike.

The fresh crop of apples is expected during July-August. Till that time the apple market will be facing severe shortage. Similarly, the grape fruit of fine quality is not available in the market. Low quality grape is also being sold at Rs 70 per dozen.

Similarly, fine quality orange is being sold at a very high price which is ranging between Rs 60 and 80 per dozen. Low quality orange is fetching Rs 50 per dozen.

Two varieties of fruit are unprecedently very cheap. These are guava and gola berry. Both of them are available at Rs 10 to 15 per kg. This is due to the bumper crop in Sindh. Guava is mostly coming from Larkana and Malir and berry is coming to the market from Mirpurkhas and Sanghar Districts.

Courtesy Business Recorder