Kolhapur: Jaggery farmers in Kolhapur are facing losses as colour-free produce is fetching lower prices in the market, even as buyers increasingly demand chemical-free products.
The issue has intensified after authorities in Gujarat found synthetic colour in jaggery during testing and took action against traders. Following this, the Gujarat Jaggery Buyers Association directed that jaggery should be supplied only after laboratory testing, creating fresh challenges for sellers.
At the Kolhapur Agricultural Produce Market Committee, colour-free jaggery is currently being sold at around Rs 41 per kg, while coloured jaggery is fetching about Rs 47 per kg. Farmers say selling at a Rs 6 per kg loss is not viable.
A farmer who recently brought colour-free jaggery to the market chose to take back his produce after being offered the lower price.
Market officials said the jaggery in which synthetic colour was detected in Gujarat was sourced from Raibag in Karnataka, but farmers in Kolhapur questioned why their produce is being affected.
Farmers also said that jaggery in the region was traditionally made without sugar or artificial colouring. However, the entry of colour-added jaggery from neighbouring Karnataka has changed buyer preferences, forcing local producers to adapt.
With buyers insisting on chemical-free jaggery but offering lower prices, farmers say they are under pressure and are struggling to secure fair returns.