Watermelon is a popular juicy fruit at iftar. At retail it now costs Tk 80 a kg, against Tk 50–55 at this time in other years; in the peak season the price stays within Tk 40. In other words, the price is abnormal now because of Ramadan.

Even so, most of the watermelons on the market are not mature. When cut they are red inside, but they have not yet fully sweetened, so buyers paying high prices for these immature fruits are being cheated.

Retailers say supply at the wholesale markets is low and prices high. The Barishal region, including Patuakhali, Barguna, Bhola and Jhalakathi, has grown plenty of watermelons this year, and Koyra in Khulna and other parts of the south are also getting a good yield. But because the season has not fully begun, watermelons are not yet coming from every area.

Aminul Hossain, a retailer in Rampura, said that at this time last year 100 watermelons could be bought from the wholesale depot for Tk 12,000–13,000 each lot, and this year the price is double. Even so, none were available on the day before Ramadan, so trade is happening at abnormal prices.

He said that before Ramadan he had to pay Tk 20,000–25,000 for every 10 watermelons, as the report gives it, up Tk 5,000–6,000 in three or four days. So he is selling at Tk 80 a kg retail. As recently as one or two weeks ago he was selling watermelon for Tk 60.

Fruit trader Enamul Haque said: "Because of the price I cannot stock watermelons in my shop. At the depot there is one price for watermelons, with no bargaining."

At Karwan Bazar, Farid Uddin, owner of Jessore Fal Ghar, said the watermelon season had not yet arrived. Because of Ramadan, farmers are harvesting early, so supply is thin and prices high.

The watermelons on the market now are small, mostly within three kilos, he said. There are hardly any big ones, and most are immature.

People in agriculture say watermelons are usually sown in December and the fruit is harvested in April, then stays in the fields through May, which is the peak season. Mature watermelons come in around Chaitra, or the first week of April.

Wholesale fruit seller Farid Uddin added that with Ramadan under way, watermelons had come to market early, because fasting people want some fruit even if they pay more, and want new fruits at iftar. The weather has also started getting hot, so demand for watermelon is huge.

He said supply was not keeping up. Only those who planted early are able to harvest now, and some are selling immature fruit hoping for extra profit. The watermelons that arrive in a few days' time will be mature, he said.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.