Ramadan Sees Dramatic Fruit Price Hike: Shopkeeper Cites 15-Year High Inflation

• Fruit prices surge in Aligarh markets with the start of Ramadan due to increased demand for Iftar.
• Vendor Afzal Khan reports significant price increases: chikoo from Rs 50 to Rs 80/kg, apples Rs 100 to Rs 180/kg, oranges Rs 100 to Rs 160/kg, papaya Rs 30 to Rs 50/kg, and guava Rs 50 to Rs 100/kg.
• Afzal, with 15 years in the business, states he has never witnessed such high fruit inflation, attributing it to expensive sourcing and market politics.
• Watermelon prices have jumped from Rs 20/kg in previous Ramadans to Rs 50-60/kg this year.
• High prices are impacting both customers and shopkeepers, leading to reduced sales and making fruits unaffordable for many.