Surat, April 3 — The rising tensions in the Middle East are now clearly impacting the fruit industry in Surat and South Gujarat. The situation in the Gulf of Hormuz has disrupted the supply of foreign fruits, while exports from India have also been affected.
As per a report,, fruits coming via Iran, which used to reach the Navashiva port in about 10 days, now take nearly a month due to the current circumstances. The prolonged transit time has resulted in spoilage of fruits in containers, leading to losses for traders. Transportation costs have increased, resulting in a price hike of 15 to 20 percent for imported fruits.
The supply of kiwis and apples from Iran has nearly come to a standstill, creating a noticeable shortage in the market. Additionally, the export of mangoes, grapes, and tomatoes from India to countries like Dubai, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Israel has also been impacted. The situation has hit banana producers in Surat district the hardest.
With exports halted, a large volume of bananas is flooding the local market, causing prices to plummet. Bananas that previously sold for 20 to 22 rupees per dozen are now being sold for 10 to 15 rupees per dozen.
Traders and exporters in the fruit market are facing losses amounting to millions. Currently, everyone is hoping for a normalization of conditions in the Middle East and a return to regular trade activities.
