A man bites into a snow apple while resting on a pile of fruits in the shade along the national highway in Visakhapatnam. , Photo Credit: V. Raju
It seems that urbanization and real estate around the city have destroyed the palm trees. As a result the Ice Apple (Thati Munjalu in Telugu) has become a rare and expensive fruit. Currently, a dozen fruits cost around ₹50 to ₹60. Shopkeepers are doing business indiscriminately in the city.
Less than five years ago, ice apple vendors used to set up temporary stalls in the city. Now, they are venturing into apartment complexes to sell the fruit.
Yerra Demudu, general secretary of Andhra Pradesh Kallugita Karmikula Sankshema Sangham, said about three lakh people in the state depend on palm tree products for their livelihood. About 50% of them sell ice apples.
“The demand for palm tree toddy has gradually reduced due to the easy availability of IML liquor at low prices, but the demand for ice apple in summers still remains. Ice apples have become a substitute for toddy vendors,” said Mr. Demudu. Hindu,
Mr Demudu acknowledged that real estate reduced tree growth, mainly in suburbs and rural areas.
K.K., who comes regularly in summer to sell fruits in the city. P. Appalaraju, an ice apple trader from Kotapadu, said, “We have suffered a lot due to Covid-19. Now we are happy with the sales and demand in the city. I choose a few apartments in the city where inmates regularly buy my products during the summer. ,
In Shivajipalem, an SBI employee S. Srinivasa Rao said that he buys ice apples every summer for his grandchildren who love to eat them.
This time the price of one dozen is about 60 rupees. We should buy medium-sized fruits with water inside as they are easily digestible,” said Mr. Rao.