Hyderabad, Oct 5 (Maxim News): Custard apple prices have surged in Hyderabad following a sharp decline in production across Telangana.
The impact of reduced rainfall and high temperatures, attributed in the supplied report to El Niño, has damaged flowers and young fruits.
Farmers say trees that normally bear 50 to 60 fruits are producing fewer than 10 this season.
As a result, a single custard apple now costs between ₹30 and ₹50 in Hyderabad.
Custard apples, usually an affordable seasonal fruit, are becoming increasingly expensive for consumers.
The shortage has also affected rural communities that depend on collecting and selling the fruit for seasonal income.
The erstwhile Mahabubnagar district is a major custard apple growing region, with trees spread across hillocks, wastelands and forest areas.
Fruits collected from these areas are supplied to Hyderabad and other markets. Women’s self-help groups also process custard apples and sell the products to companies, creating additional income opportunities.
Poor Weather Damages Flowers and Young Fruits
Farmers attribute the fall in production to inadequate rainfall and prolonged high temperatures.
These conditions have affected the flowering and fruit-setting stages, causing young fruits to drop before maturity. Some fruits have also failed to develop properly on the trees.
Custard apple trees generally flower and begin fruit formation between July and August. The fruits usually mature by the first week of September.
However, irregular rainfall and high temperatures have disrupted this cycle during the current season.
Farmers say a healthy tree normally produces around 50 to 60 fruits, whereas many trees now carry fewer than 10.
The flowering and fruit-setting stages are particularly important because changes in moisture levels, rainfall and temperature can affect fruit development.
The decline in production comes amid concerns over the shrinking natural habitat of custard apple trees.
Hill removal, quarrying, real estate projects and changes in land use are reducing the area where these trees grow naturally.
The combination of habitat loss and unfavourable weather has further affected the availability of the fruit.
Custard Apple Prices Rise Amid Supply Shortage
The drop in supply has pushed prices sharply higher, particularly in urban markets such as Hyderabad.
Last year, smaller fruits weighing around 15 grams to 180 grams reportedly sold for ₹5 to ₹7 each, while larger fruits fetched ₹8 to ₹10. A basket could be purchased for approximately ₹200 to ₹250.
This season, however, individual fruits are selling for ₹30 to ₹50, depending on their size and quality.
The price increase has made the seasonal fruit less affordable for many consumers.
The shortage has also hit people who collect custard apples from rural areas. With fewer fruits available, seasonal workers are struggling to earn their usual income.
Women’s self-help groups involved in processing have also faced difficulties due to the lack of raw material.
According to the report, some groups had completed nearly 60% of their seasonal processing work by the same time last year.
This season, some have reportedly been unable to begin processing because sufficient fruit has not arrived.
Changing Climate and Habitat Loss Raise Concerns
Custard apples were once commonly found near hillocks, along roadsides and across rural landscapes.
However, declining natural tree cover and changing weather conditions are making the fruit less available.
The current shortage has affected farmers, seasonal collectors, processing groups and consumers.
Whether improved rainfall and more favourable temperatures will support a recovery in the next season remains to be seen.
For now, the reduced harvest has turned an affordable seasonal fruit into a costly purchase in Hyderabad, while rural communities that depend on its collection and processing face mounting economic challenges. (Maxim News)
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