India: Imported Fruits to Cost More as Rupee Declines.

Crunchy Washington and Fiji apples and Sri Lankan strawberries are likely to be costlier due to the falling rupee. Already, prices of imported fruits are 20% to 25% higher than local ones. Close to 50% of the country's fruit consumption comprises imported varieties.

Nearly 5,000 cartons (each contains 22 tons) of imported apples reach Chennai shelves every year. They are likely to be 25% more expensive more from now on. "Prices per carton have risen by Rs 250 to Rs 300. There is also an import duty of 50% on such fruits. So a price rise is inevitable," said K Unnikrishnan, proprietor, Mudra Export.

Retail prices of imported apples have gone up by Rs 15 per kg in the last two weeks. American apples currently sell at Rs 150 to Rs160 per kg. Californian red globe grapes have moved up by Rs 10 per kg and retail at Rs 260 a kg while a single kiwi fruit sells at Rs 30, an increase of Rs 5 in a fortnight.

Source : freshplaza.com