India, March 31 -- The ongoing Middle East conflict has triggered a steep drop in wholesale banana prices in north Maharashtra's Jalgaon district, forcing farmers into distress sales as returns dip below production costs. According to farmers, the fruit is currently sold at Rs.8- Rs.10 per kg in the wholesale market, while the cost of production is around Rs.12 per kg.

Jalgaon is the largest banana-producing district in Maharashtra, with an annual output of around 4 million tonnes. Nearly 50,000 farmers across six tehsils depend on banana cultivation for their livelihood.

Of the total production, about 10% is exported to Gulf countries such as Iran and Iraq, while the remaining is supplied to domestic markets in northern states, includi...