Passion fruit, which used to be selling as much as 12 for a $100 and had moved down to eight for $100, is now selling at six for $100 and in some areas four for $100.

Large retailers at Bourda mall say this is directly as a result of Demerara Distillers Limited's demand for these fruits for its Topco juice plant, while the natural shortages associated with different seasons adds to the pressure.

Retailers say DDL does not demand fresh oranges for its plant and DDL marketing manager, Antonius Ragubhansie says the company imports orange pulp for its orange juice drink.

Despite this orange prices have also been moving upwards from 15-20 for $100 to as little as four for $100.

Cherries, which are going out of season as well, have been difficult to find in recent months as a result of increasing demand.

Raghubansie says the firm has managed to avoid the seasonal highs and lows by keeping a stockpile in cold storage. DDL also has an ongoing campaign encouraging farmers to plant more citrus.

Citrus and cash-crop farmer Sally Hamid says oranges, passion fruit and cherries are all seasonal fruits and their prices will fluctuate accordingly. However, she confesses to having a preference to selling to DDL in season when fruits are in abundance as it allows for bulk sales and better returns.

Then in the off season she sells to vendors because of the higher prices.

Hamid is accustomed to picking 20,000 oranges per week but now only picks 6,000 to 8,000.

She has an agreement with DDL to supply passion fruit and says prices can swing from 15 for $100 to three for $100.

Hamid also farms lemon, lime, grapefruit and tangerine.