An outbreak of dengue fever in Bangalore is driving an increase in Zespri Green kiwifruit sales, according to Indian news website www.seeandsaynews.in.
Demand for the offering has spiked sharply since the disease became widespread in the Indian city earlier this month, largely due to a popular belief among patients that the fruit’s consumption helps boost the platelet count in the bloodstream. The trend has resulted in a steady rise in price for Zespri Green across the city.
“I had not heard about this fruit but once I started to hear about dengue fever in my area, I also came to know about this fruit,” a vegetable vendor in Malleshwaram told www.seeandsaynews.in. “Following the demand from consumers I am also now selling this fruit. The rate was around Rs25 (US$0.39) to Rs30 (US$0.47) per piece of fruit. Now it is Rs 40 (US$0.63). Every day I am selling around 40 (pieces of) fruit. Many are taking this fruit as a precautionary measure.”
While Zespri is investing in promotional programmes in India to highlight the nutritional benefits of its kiwifruit offerings, GK Bhat, a family physician from Vijayanagar, said he had never specially prescribed the fruit as a treatment for dengue fever.
“I came to know about this fruit and the belief that it is good, from the dengue patients themselves,” explained Bhat. I never refer it … but everyone is choosing it.”
