Boycott fruit chaat? Yes and no

If the boycott results in a surplus of fruits and vegetables, the farmers may be forced to lower their prices to avoid wastage. However, this would not be a sustainable solution, as farmers may switch to other crops or may not produce as much in the future, leading to a shortage and higher prices in the long run

Banana – Rs500 per dozen.

Guava – Rs500 per kilogramme

Grape – Rs700 per kilogramme

Melon – Rs200 per kilogramme

Social media is abuzz with the “boycott fruits” in Ramazan.

Posts after posts state the rates of fruits pre- and during-Ramazan.

Before the fall of Ramazan, the list was as:

Banana – Rs200 per dozen.

Guava – Rs300 per kilogramme

Grape – Rs300 per kilogramme

Melon – Rs100 per kilogramme

I am at a loss if boycotting perishable products can influence their prices or not. I spoke to a few traders and economists and they are divided on this issue.

My question is: why people have been forced to raise their voices for boycotting fruits and vegetables?

Stakeholders give various reasons. The most plausible reason for boycotting perishable products could be related to political and social issues. In recent years, there have been instances where the government has failed to address public grievances effectively, leading to protests and calls for boycotts. But Pakistan’s problems are economic which is behind the calls for boycotting banana and guava shopping. Rightly, economic instability, inflation, and rising prices have made it difficult for people to afford essential goods, including perishable products. In such cases, boycotts may be seen as a way to express frustration or demand action from the government or businesses to address economic issues.

Another reason for boycotting fruits could be related to food safety concerns.

Let us examine which fruits are off-season. Banana is being supplied from cold storage. So is guava.

Melon’s early crop is hitting the market. Frankly speaking, this Ramazan is not fruit-chaat-friendly.

Pakistan has faced numerous food safety issues, such as contamination and adulteration of food products. Consumers may choose to boycott certain perishable products as a way to express their concerns and demand better food safety standards.

Can the boycott of buying fruits lower their price?

The answer is – yes, and no.

Let us first discuss how it is effective.

Simply, if the boycott is widespread and sustained, it can lead to a significant decrease in demand, which in turn can lower prices.

When there is a decrease in demand, farmers and suppliers may have an excess supply of fruits and vegetables, which can lead to a surplus. To avoid waste and financial loss, farmers, arthis and retailers may be forced to lower their prices to encourage consumers to buy their products. This surplus can drive the prices down in the short run.

If the boycott persists, and the market continues to have an excess supply, farmers may eventually decide to plant fewer crops in the future, which would decrease the overall supply and further drive up the price in the long run. In this way, the boycott can indirectly lead to lower prices in the long term.

But social media users want to boycott costly bananas and guavas.

They should know that a boycott of buying fruits and vegetables does not necessarily lead to lower prices because the demand for these products remains relatively constant. If a significant number of people boycott buying these products, the initial impact may be a temporary drop in demand, which could lead to a temporary decrease in prices.

However, the overall demand for fruits and vegetables will not change significantly, as people require them for their daily dietary needs. Farmers and suppliers will continue to produce and supply these products, and the market forces of supply and demand will determine the price.

Moreover, if the boycott results in a surplus of fruits and vegetables, the farmers may be forced to lower their prices to avoid wastage. However, this would not be a sustainable solution, as farmers may switch to other crops or may not produce as much in the future, leading to a shortage and higher prices in the long run.

The moral of the story is that while boycotts can be an effective way of expressing a protest or influencing change in some cases, they may not always lead to a significant impact on the price of goods, especially for essential commodities like fruits and vegetables.