THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the onset of Ramadan, the price of pineapple has gone up to Rs 53 per kg. Farmers and traders say that it will reach 60 in April itself.

Three months ago in January, the price was Rs 30 and in March it reached Rs 50. Raw ones are priced at Rs 40 and special-grade raw ones are priced at Rs 42. Even though there is a lot of demand for pineapple juice, production is dropping because of the summer heat creating a setback for the farmers. Exports to Andhra, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Gujarat have also been affected. Farmers say there has been a 25 percent drop in production in the last one and a half months. Malayalees will have to wander in search of pineapples to prepare 'Vishu Kani'.

In Central Kerala alone, farmers in Vazhakulam and Muvattupuzha regions cultivate pineapple on thousands of acres. Most of the farmers are landless and take huge loans from banks and usurers and take up land on lease. According to the leaders of the pineapple farmers association, the farmers have a loan of 650 crores in the public sector banks alone.

45,000 acres farmed

Daily sales during the Vishu-Ramzan season: 2,000 tonnes

Rent per acre: Rs 50,000- 60,000

There is no loss if the farmers get Rs 30 per kg

'This month is the time for celebrations including weddings, but we have suffered setbacks due to severe summer. There has been a reduction in production at a time of high demand.'

Baby John

President,

Pineapple Growers Association