Lemon Prices Drop in Pune Amid Falling Demand from Hotels; Retail Rates Ease

Lemon prices in Pune have declined sharply due to reduced demand from hotels amid gas supply disruptions, even as summer heat impacts supply. Retail buyers now benefit from lower prices.

March 17, 2026 | Pune Lemon prices in Pune have witnessed a notable decline as demand from hotels and eateries has dropped significantly, primarily due to disruptions in commercial gas supply. The situation has led to a surplus in local markets despite reduced arrivals caused by intense summer heat. At the Gultekdi Market Yard, a key wholesale hub, lemon prices have fallen by around ₹200 per sack (15–20 kg). Traders reported that current wholesale rates range between ₹1,200 and ₹2,000 per sack, depending on quality. Just a week ago, prices were higher, ranging from ₹1,500 to ₹2,100, with arrivals nearly double the current volume.

On Sunday, around 800 to 1,000 sacks of lemons arrived from districts such as Ahmednagar and Solapur, compared to nearly 2,000 sacks the previous week. While supply has halved due to weather conditions affecting production, demand has dropped even more sharply, pushing prices downward. The decline is largely attributed to reduced consumption by hotels and food establishments, which account for over 50 percent of lemon demand from the wholesale market. Ongoing limitations on food services, triggered by gas shortages, have directly impacted bulk purchases.

Retail markets, however, are offering relief to consumers, with lemons being sold at rates as low as three pieces for ₹5. Demand from households, juice vendors, and beverage stalls continues, but remains insufficient to offset the fall in institutional demand. Traders noted that while lemons typically see high demand during summer, the current imbalance between supply and demand has resulted in an unexpected price drop.

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