Prices for Banana have been reduced significantly in Thanjavur owing to slumped demand and unfavorable weather

Banana prices in some parts of India have considerably declined on the back of lacklustre demand dynamics. Banana farmers in Thanjavur are facing significant losses due to a drop in demand caused by recent rains and simultaneous harvesting in neighbouring states. Traders are offering as low as Rs 6 per kilogram for bananas, a drastic drop from the previous months when prices were considerably higher. Farmers are accustomed to lower demand during the rainy season, but the current procurement prices are notably worse than in previous years.

Thanjavur, a delta district known for its paddy cultivation, also heavily relies on banana farming as a key cash crop. The crop is grown across 11,000 acres in regions such as Tiruvaiyaru, Kaduveli, Panaiyur, Vadugakudi, and Tirukkattupalli, with irrigation from the Cauvery, Kudamuruti, and Vennaru rivers. The ‘poovan’ variety is particularly popular in the area, with its leaves also providing additional income.

In the past, the price of bananas had reached Rs 30 per kilogram during festivals like Ayudha Pooja. However, this year, the price has sharply fallen to Rs 6-7 per kilogram. Farmers blame the harvest season in neighbouring states like Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh for reducing the influx of traders into Thanjavur. Last month, bananas were even sent to other states like Maharashtra, Kerala, and Karnataka, but traders from these regions are now avoiding Thanjavur due to the abundant supply in their own areas.

While the demand for bananas typically drops during the rainy season, farmers have reported that the prices have never fallen so drastically. In previous years, even during the monsoon months, farmers would receive at least Rs 15 per kilogram, with prices normally ranging from Rs 20 to Rs 25 per kilogram. With the current prices, many farmers are struggling to cover even basic production costs, let alone make a profit.

The price drop has led some farmers to abandon their harvest altogether, leaving bananas on the trees as it is no longer financially viable to harvest and sell them. The long cultivation cycle of 10-12 months further exacerbates the issue, as the returns are not even covering the initial investment in planting.

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Traders have cited the rain in Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states as the primary reason for the slump in demand, as it has disrupted the movement of produce. As a result, the prices of bananas have continued to fall.

In response to the situation, some farmers are calling for government intervention. They have suggested that bananas be included in the breakfast schemes for schools to create a stable demand, and have also advocated for the establishment of small-scale cold storage facilities to reduce post-harvest losses and maintain prices throughout the year.