ATTOCK, Aug 4: The prices of banana have increased from 150 to 200 per cent at the local markets, as compared to last year.

It is due to reduced supply at local markets because of severe floods in Sindh, last year.

During a survey of local fruit markets, it was revealed that banana is being sold on a record price of Rs200 to Rs250 per dozen, subject to quality.

Whereas last year, good bananas were available at Rs40 to Rs50 per dozen and low quality was sold for Rs25 to Rs30 per dozen.

Obviously such unprecedented increase in banana prices has driven the common consumer away from the product.

Interestingly, banana is not only a food supplement but it is also prescribed by physicians for the treatment of malnutrition and other minor children related complications like infant diarrhea.

A labourer Muhammad Arif narrated that he buys bananas for his children as it used be available for Rs 20 to 30 per dozen as compared to other costly fruits.

But now it has become costly and is way beyond his reach, he informed.

A local fruit vendor informed Dawn that bananas available in the market are imported from Australia and Brazil, due to lack of routine supply of bananas from Sindh.

But it is so costly and due to high prices, the sale of bananas declined over 60 per cent in the market.

Last year, its prices were considerably stable as farmers had taken the production (harvest) before the start of monsoon rains, they said. Afterwards, banana prices skyrocketed.