Bengaluru: Fruit prices in the city have dropped sharply due to bumper harvests and a surge in supply in local markets, offering relief to consumers but leaving many farmers worried about heavy financial losses.

Seasonal fruits such as watermelons, muskmelons and bananas have witnessed the steepest price fall over the past week, according to traders and market officials. The sudden drop in prices is largely attributed to increased production and a glut in wholesale markets.

Farmers say the crash in prices has made it difficult for them to recover even their basic cultivation costs.

Watermelon prices drop sharply

Watermelon prices have seen one of the most dramatic declines. Farmers who were selling the fruit for around ₹14 per kilogram just a week ago are now forced to sell it for nearly ₹7 per kilogram in wholesale markets.

Some growers say that certain varieties are fetching even lower rates.

Farmer Devaraju said the price crash has severely affected producers.

“I cultivated watermelons expecting a decent return, but the prices have fallen drastically. Some varieties are selling for as low as ₹2 per kilogram,” he said.

Despite the low farm-gate prices, retailers in the city continue to sell watermelons at significantly higher rates, ranging between ₹20 and ₹30 per kilogram.

Banana prices also fall

Fruit vendors at Krishnarajendra Market, one of the city’s largest wholesale markets, confirmed that banana prices have also declined substantially.

According to traders, banana prices have dropped by ₹15 to ₹20 per kilogram compared to the rates recorded last month.

Vendors say the arrival of summer harvests has increased the supply in the market, pushing prices downward.

“The supply of bananas is very high this season because the summer crop has arrived in large quantities,” a vendor at the market said.

Supply increases at APMC market

Market data from the Agricultural Produce Market Committee indicates a significant rise in the supply of fruits this year compared to the same period in 2025.

Among the fruits, pineapples have recorded the largest increase in arrivals. The supply has more than doubled from 326 quintals last year to around 680 quintals this year.

Pomegranate supply has also risen sharply, increasing from 1,947 quintals to about 3,115 quintals.

Similarly, arrivals of muskmelons and watermelons have increased. Muskmelon supply rose from 2,371 quintals to about 2,480 quintals, while watermelon arrivals increased from 1,323 quintals to approximately 1,480 quintals.

The significant increase in supply has created a glut in local markets, which has directly impacted prices.

Traders cite surplus production and export slowdown

Traders attribute the price fall to two major factors — surplus local production and disruption in export markets.

According to market participants, more farmers opted to cultivate fruit crops this year, resulting in higher yields and increased arrivals in wholesale markets.

At the same time, geopolitical tensions and disruptions in global trade have slowed exports.

A trader at the market explained that fruits originally meant for international markets often end up being diverted to domestic wholesale markets when export channels are affected.

“When exports slow down, the produce that was meant for overseas markets gets redirected to local markets such as KR Market and Binnypete. This leads to oversupply and causes prices to drop,” the trader said.

Officials clarify market role

Suma, Secretary of the APMC, clarified that the market primarily handles produce meant for local consumption rather than exports.

“We are not witnessing direct exports of bananas or melons from this specific market. Some farmers may export directly from their farms, but the local supply reaching our market is extremely high this year,” she said.

She also noted that while fruit arrivals have increased locally, the market continues to receive imported fruits such as apples and kiwis from cold storage facilities.

Conclusion

The sharp fall in fruit prices has created a mixed situation in Bengaluru’s markets. While consumers benefit from lower prices and abundant supply, farmers are struggling to cope with the financial impact of the price crash.

If the current supply levels continue and export demand does not recover, traders say fruit prices may remain low in the coming weeks, increasing the pressure on growers across the region.