VISAKHAPATNAM: Ice apple or palm fruit (Thati Munjalu), the natural coolant and nutritious fruit in the summer, has become expensive this season.
The demand for ice apple is high during peak summer and availability of the fruit has been decreasing in the Vizag region with increasing real estate activity.
Vizagites consider ice apple as the best fruit in the summer citing that it protects against dehydration as the fruit contains a lot of nutrients and water.
The price of the palm fruit has been increasing owing to lack of availability. The price of palm fruit is ranging between 50 and 60 per dozen this season.
“We have no option but increase the price of the fruit as we must pay 600 to 800 for transportation of the fruit from Tagarapuvalasa and Anandapuram to Vizag and labour charges for harvesting the fruit has doubled. Earlier, we paid 300 for transportation of the fruit. Now auto-rickshaw drivers are charging more citing that fuel price has gone up, said G Sannibabu, who sells the fruit near Yendada Junction.
A decade ago, the city would be dotted with the roadside stalls on both sides of NH-16 stretch, Beach Road and a few other areas in the city selling ice apple. Thanks to real estate growth in the Vizag region, the palm trees have been cut down to make way for residential establishments. Now, only a few stalls are found selling the palm fruit, said D Sudharkar.
Palm trees are making way for apartments in Vizag and Vizianagaram districts. In the coming years, people will have to pay more for the fruit, traders said.
