Kochi: The renowned Vazhakulam pineapple has achieved a new milestone, with the special grade green variety reaching a record price of Rs 74 per kilogram. While soaring prices might appear as a windfall for farmers, growers reveal a grim reality. An acute production shortage driven by erratic climate shifts has left them with little to sell, turning a potential boom into financial distress.
In local markets, the normal green variety was selling at Rs 72 per kilogram, while the ripe fruit was priced at Rs 65 per kilogram on Wednesday. Baby John, president of the Pineapple Farmers Association, stated, "There is not a single tonne of good-quality ripe pineapple available. Even if buyers are willing to pay Rs 60 to Rs 70, there is simply no fruit in the market."
Climate Disruption and Crop Failure
The crisis stems from an unstable climate cycle, particularly in May. In commercial pineapple farming, the chemical ethephon is used to induce uniform flowering and accelerate the fruit's golden-yellow colour before harvest. Baby John explained, "Growers usually avoid it during summer to allow the fruit to naturally withstand intense heat. However, recent extreme weather disrupted this cycle. Unprecedented heat caused the entire crop to ripen prematurely and simultaneously. These heat waves stunted the fruit, drastically reducing their size, weight and overall market quality."
There was also a shortage of migrant labourers at that time. Varghese Jacob, another farmer, said, "We couldn't pluck fruits on time or take them to north Indian markets then." The sudden, low-quality glut caused a massive price crash in the first week of May, with rates plummeting to Rs 20 per kilogram, and even top-tier varieties fetching a meagre Rs 35 to Rs 40 per kilogram. Reeling from heavy financial losses, many farmers in and around Vazhakulam halted cultivation.
Shift in Market Dynamics
A month later, the scenario changed completely. The pause in cultivation, combined with the destruction of the summer crop, led to the end of local supply. Meanwhile, demand skyrocketed in urban hubs like Delhi and Jaipur, where the fruit is in high demand. Historically, prices for the premium special green or green varieties have never crossed Rs 65 per kilogram. This unprecedented breach of the Rs 74 threshold highlights a severe supply-demand mismatch, according to farmers.
The situation underscores the vulnerability of agriculture to climate change and the cascading effects on prices and farmer livelihoods. Despite record prices, many growers face financial hardship due to reduced volumes and quality issues.
