Tight supplies and seasonal demand push modal prices above Rs. 25,000 per Quintal in several Tamil Nadu markets

India’s wholesale lemon markets witnessed sharp price variations on May 8, 2026, with several markets in Tamil Nadu reporting premium rates amid firm summer demand and tightening arrivals, according to the latest Daily Price Arrival Report. While northern and western states recorded moderate prices, southern markets — particularly in Tamil Nadu — emerged as the strongest price centres in the country.

The highest modal price of Rs. 26,800 per quintal was recorded at the Dharmapuri Uzhavar Sandhai in Tamil Nadu, followed closely by Tuticorin at Rs. 26,500 per quintal and Vadaseri APMC in Kanniyakumari district at Rs. 26,000 per quintal. Multiple retail-oriented Uzhavar Sandhai markets across Coimbatore, Karur, Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, and Tiruppur districts reported modal prices between Rs. 24,000 and Rs. 25,500 per quintal, reflecting strong consumer demand and limited market arrivals.

Among the key high-value centres, R.S. Puram, Vadavalli, Gandhigramam, Ramanathapuram, and Karaikudi markets consistently traded around Rs. 25,000 per quintal. Coimbatore district remained one of the strongest lemon clusters nationally, with several markets crossing the Rs. 24,000 mark.

In contrast, northern and western markets showed relatively moderate pricing trends. Chandigarh Grain and Fruit Market reported a modal price of Rs. 6,000 per quintal despite recording one of the largest arrivals at 25.22 metric tonnes. Gujarat’s Rajkot Vegetable Sub Yard handled the highest arrivals nationally at 46.70 metric tonnes, with modal prices at Rs. 12,175 per quintal, indicating comparatively better supply availability in western markets.

Haryana markets largely traded between Rs. 8,000 and Rs. 14,000 per quintal. Ganaur APMC in Sonipat district recorded one of the highest northern prices at Rs. 18,000 per quintal, while Samalkha market in Panipat reported Rs. 14,000 per quintal. Himachal Pradesh markets remained firm, with PMY Bilaspur recording Rs. 19,000 per quintal and PMY Chamba at Rs. 17,500 per quintal amid lower arrivals.

Kerala markets also showed strong price realization, especially in Vadakkenchery APMC where modal prices touched Rs. 20,000 per quintal. Thrippunithura, Chengannur, and Kuruppanthura markets traded between Rs. 15,500 and Rs. 16,500 per quintal, supported by limited arrivals and sustained regional demand.

Punjab markets remained relatively stable in the Rs. 6,500–12,500 per quintal range, while Rajasthan’s Udaipur fruit and vegetable market recorded arrivals of 13 metric tonnes with modal prices at Rs. 8,000 per quintal. Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua APMC traded lemons at Rs. 16,500 per quintal.

Market analysts said the sharp rise in southern lemon prices is being driven by seasonal consumption demand during peak summer, lower harvesting volumes in some producing belts, and increased transportation costs. Retail-focused Uzhavar Sandhai markets in Tamil Nadu particularly reflected stronger consumer-level pricing due to direct urban demand.

The data also highlighted stark inter-state disparities. While premium Tamil Nadu markets traded above Rs. 25,000 per quintal, several Uttar Pradesh markets such as Rampurmaniharan reported prices as low as Rs. 2,400 per quintal, underscoring significant regional supply-demand imbalances.

Arrivals across many high-price markets remained relatively low, often below one metric tonne, suggesting that constrained supplies are continuing to support elevated price levels in southern India. Analysts expect lemon prices to remain firm in the near term unless arrivals improve significantly with fresh harvest inflows from producing regions.