Hyderabad, Dec. 31 -- Hybrid varieties of custard apples from adjoining states of Maharashtra and Karnataka have flooded the Hyderabad market. The traders are selling the fruit at a price of Rs 120 to Rs 150 per kilo.

Hyderabadis are used to the custard apples variety sold during the monsoon season that are naturally grown in the hilly locations in the thick forest of Siddipet, Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda and Vikarabad districts.

"Fruits from Karnataka are sold in the market. There was a good harvest of crops," said an official of the marketing department. The local production came down due to the real estate activity in districts surrounding Greater Hyderabad and cultivation of custard apples is not popular here.

Tribes living in the hilly...