As summer progresses, nature’s seasonal gifts, including wild fruits, are ripening in the forests, but one fruit, in particular, has caught everyone’s attention — the jamun (blackberry). Known for its health benefits, particularly for diabetes management, jamun is now seeing unprecedented price hikes, making it inaccessible to many.
Currently, the price of jamun has reached a staggering 120 to 140 rupees per half kilogram, with prices crossing 500 rupees per kilogram in some areas. In many local markets, jamun is even being sold by the bowl, with each bowl priced no less than 50 rupees.
The rising cost of jamun is part of a broader trend affecting other wild fruits, such as mangoes, carandas, and more, which traditionally flood the market in the summer. However, this year, carandas has also seen a price surge, further adding to the financial strain on those seeking these seasonal treats. What was once an affordable indulgence, priced between 20 and 25 rupees, is now beyond the reach of many families.
The reasons for these price hikes are varied. On the one hand, urban development has led to the encroachment on forests, with trees that have borne fruit for decades being cut down to make way for construction. On the other hand, the growing pollution, particularly from stone quarries, has worsened the situation. The dust accumulating on the fruits is making them less desirable, and yet, the demand for wild fruits continues to rise.
Meanwhile, jamun varieties from different regions of the state, including tribal areas, have made their way into the markets. Jamun from villages near Uran is being sold for 100 rupees per half kilogram, while those from the APMC market are fetching as much as 140 rupees per half kilogram.
While these fruits have long been known for their medicinal and nutritional value, particularly for treating ailments like diabetes, the increasing cost is putting them out of reach for many. The soaring prices are especially concerning as the number of people affected by diabetes continues to grow. Despite their health benefits, the high costs mean that many citizens are left unable to enjoy the fruits that once brought them both joy and health benefits.
In the face of growing prices and environmental challenges, it remains to be seen how this issue will be addressed, and whether more people will be left deprived of the natural bounty that summer once promised.
