It is jackfruit season and large quantities can be seen piled up at many roadside shops in Thoothukudi.

Jackfruit is widely grown in regions such as Panruti, Pudukottai, Kanniyakumari and Western Ghats areas. As the season reaches its peak, large quantities are being transported to Thoothukudi from areas, including Panruti, a key hub of jackfruit production.

Traders have been piling up jackfruits along the roadside shops and selling them. The whole fruit is being sold at between ₹40 and ₹50 per kilogram and the peeled jackfruit bulb is being sold around ₹250 kilogram.

Despite the relatively higher price for peeled bulbs, many consumers prefer them for convenience, contributing to a steady demand.

Kannan, a trader from Panruti, said that he has been setting up seasonal roadside jackfruit shop in Thoothukudi for the past three years. He added, “We procure jackfruits in bulk directly from farm owners and bring them here for sale.”

He noted that the current season has seen a good yield, resulting in higher arrivals compared to previous years. However, he added that sales have not met expectations. “Even after the election results, the demand has remained sluggish compared to the past two years,” he said, pointing to a slower market response despite ample supply.