30 April 2025, New Delhi: Lemon growers in Andhra Pradesh are grappling with reduced yields as extreme heat impacts fruit development. Despite strong demand from northern states, especially Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, the supply chain is under strain.
In early April, lemon prices peaked at around ₹60,000 per tonne—a high point for farmers. However, supplies from major trading centres like Podalakur, Gudur, Tenali, Eluru, and Rajahmundry have declined sharply, according to local traders.
Farmers blame the heatwave for the poor fruit set. “The temperatures are unusually high this year, and the trees are not producing as expected,” said S. Raju, a farmer in Gudur. Narayana, a trader in Podalakur, said that daily dispatches from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have dropped from nearly 100 truckloads to about 50 due to the heat.
Around 17,400 hectares in the region are dedicated to lemon cultivation, with Podalakur, Venkatagiri, Jayampu, and Gudur being key marketing hubs. These centres typically send 15–20 truckloads of lemons daily to northern markets like Delhi, Lucknow, and Varanasi, where lemons are in high demand for use in summer beverages.
Though farmers initially managed a reasonable harvest even in dry conditions, the intense heat has caused a further drop in output, widening the gap between supply and demand.
“Normally by the end of June, prices begin to fall with the arrival of new crops,” said Suresh, another farmer. “But this time, rates have stayed firm because the volume just isn’t there. The demand is excellent, especially from the north, but we’re not able to take advantage of it.”
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