The plummeting prices, exacerbated by oversupply and high production, have worsened the plight of farmers who made substantial investments in the crop, expecting prices similar to those of last season.
TIRUPATI: The prices of Jamun, also known as Java plum or black plum, have drastically fallen in the Madanapalle market of Annamayya district, plunging from last season's range of Rs 280 to Rs 300 per kg to a mere Rs 40 to Rs 60 per kg. This sharp decline has sparked serious concerns among local horticulturists.
However, their expectations have been dashed by unforeseen factors. Untimely rains during critical pesticide application periods rendered many treatments ineffective, allowing fruit flies and other pests to inflict severe damage across various areas.
Early rains also contributed to a bumper crop that prematurely fell, suffered from fruit fly infestations, and showed signs of fruit blemishes. The cultivation of black plum spanned approximately 1,500 acres in Annamayya district, with the fruit valued for its medicinal properties. It is exported to cities like Hyderabad, Chennai, Vijayawada, Guntur, and other parts of the country.
The season commenced with optimism on May 15, maintaining favorable prices until the month's end. However, June's onset of rains, varying from light showers to moderate downpours, caused premature fruit splitting and falling.
Despite appearing fine upon harvest, fruits deteriorated swiftly during transportation to markets, dissuading traders outside the district from making purchases. Complicating matters further, fruit size varied throughout the season: larger fruits early on, medium-sized in the middle, and smaller towards the end.
Initially celebrating high prices, farmers and traders are now confronting substantial losses. Many have abandoned their crops in orchards and on trees, as current market rates fail to cover even the costs of labor for harvesting. Some are attempting to salvage losses by sorting and transporting only the highest-quality fruits to market.
Presently, the market primarily accepts lower-grade fruits for juice production, purchased by traders from Maharashtra at Rs 40 per kg. First-grade fruits still command reasonable prices, while second-grade fruits sell for Rs 40-60 per kg. Unfortunately, third-grade fruits are discarded outright.