Bhubaneswar: With the mercury rising across Odisha, the price of lemons has gone up in Bhubaneswar, with a single one costing anything between Rs 7 and Rs 10. Two weeks ago, three lemons were available for Rs 10.
Local vendors blame the price hike on reduced local production and increased dependence on supplies from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. “The intense heat has affected lemon cultivation, reducing local supply significantly. We now rely on supplies from other states, but transport costs and demand surge have pushed prices up,” Sadananda Khuntia, a lemon vendor in Unit-1 market, said. Every day he sells around 40 quintals of lemons.
Odisha, which was previously one of the leading producers of lemons in India, has seen fluctuation in output. In 2022, it was reported as the country’s largest producer of lemons, but recent data suggests it now ranks sixth in production. Last year, the state produced over three lakh tonnes of lemons and it is estimated that Odisha will produce a citrus fruit output of 3.16 lakh tonnes in 2025.
For many households, lemons are an essential ingredient, especially during summer. “Lemons are a must in this heat. We use them for making soft drinks and in cooking and even for home remedies. Children drink lemonade several times a day. But at this rate, it’s becoming a luxury item,” Sabitri Sahu, a resident of Saheed Nagar, said.
Consumers also expressed concern over the quality of lemons available in the market. “The local produce available in the market is very small in size and less juicy compared to lemons imported from other states, which are bigger in size but they are more expensive,” Jyotiranjan Mohanty, a customer, said.
Traders said that prices may remain high for the next few weeks unless local production improves or additional supply reaches the market.