Demand for imported fresh fruit has shifted into high gear in India as the start of Ramadan (Ramzan) approaches this Friday.

Consumers are shifting from local fruit to imported varieties from across Asia, Africa and the Americas, according to local reports, despite some high prices.

Thai dragon fruit and longan, US cherries, oranges and grapes, Egyptian citrus and Chilean apples and grapes are among the most popular imported lines, according to the Times of India, which reported fruit wholesalers and retailers in Kozhikode (Calicut) in Kerala are staying open late into the night to cater for demand.

“The demand for imported fruits has picked up across the state and the market has doubled in the pre-Ramzan season,” P Navas of wholesaler PKC Fruits World told the Times.

“We have brought in at least 15 containers of fruits in the run up to the Ramzan. The demand has been so huge this season that we were open till 11pm on Sunday.”

Imported fruits have been hitting high price points, with US cherries selling for as much as Rs1,900 (US$34.50) per kg.

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