The season for local mangoes has reached its final stage. With supply falling in markets across the capital, prices of the tasty fruit have risen significantly. But some buyers say there is no shortage of mangoes in the market, and that dishonest sellers are raising prices on the excuse of the season.

Visits to markets in Kathalbagan, Green Road, Rajabazar, Karwan Bazar, Moghbazar, Malibagh, Rampura and other areas of the capital found a good supply of Amrapali, Ashwina and BARI variety mangoes, but prices are moving beyond ordinary people's reach.

In these markets Amrapali is selling at Tk 180 to 220 a kg, and small "cat" Amrapali at Tk 100 to 120. A week ago these prices were Tk 120-130 and Tk 50-60 respectively.

Surma Fazli now costs Tk 140 to 150 a kg, up from Tk 100 to 120 the previous week. Banana mango is selling at Tk 220 to 240 a kg, up from Tk 170 to 180 a week ago.

Sellers say production and supply of mangoes have fallen as the season nears its end, so prices have risen. Ali Ahmed, a seller at Karwan Bazar, told Jago News that Himsagar and Langra mangoes are no longer in the market, and supply of Amrapali at the wholesale depots has fallen. "So we are forced to buy at higher prices, and that is reflected at retail level."

Asif Ahmed, another seller in Malibagh, told Jago News that mangoes are perishable and cannot be stocked. "When supply falls, prices rise. That is normal."

Many buyers do not agree. Aminul Islam, who came to buy mangoes, told Jago News: "The mango that was Tk 170 a week ago is now Tk 230. There is no reason for prices to rise so fast."

Another buyer, Ayesha Khatun, said plenty of mangoes are still being sold in every neighbourhood, so raising prices on the excuse of the season is unreasonable. "A syndicate is at work here."

Although supply of Ashwina and BARI mangoes is somewhat higher, their prices have also risen. BARI mangoes are selling at Tk 100-120 a kg, up from Tk 80-90 a week ago, and unripe Ashwina at Tk 40-50 a kg, up from Tk 30-40.

Prices of other seasonal fruit vary. Small dragon fruit is selling at Tk 60 to 100 and large at Tk 180 to 200. Guava is Tk 50-80 a kg, pomelo Tk 50-70 a piece, latkan Tk 180-220, amra Tk 60 and bilati gab Tk 100-120. A large pair of pineapples costs Tk 120-140 and a small pair Tk 60.

Jackfruit, however, has seen the steepest prices. Ripe jackfruit of 6-7 kg is selling at Tk 250, up from Tk 130-150 last week. Small jackfruit is selling at Tk 100-150, against Tk 70-80 a week ago. Abul Hossain, a fruit seller in Malibagh, said truckloads of jackfruit used to come from Gazipur every day, but now the season is ending those trucks are not coming, so prices are higher.

Overall, the fruit market, especially mangoes and jackfruit, is seeing a big rise in prices. Sellers say prices have been raised because supply has fallen. But buyer Ommul Wara told Jago News it is simply a syndicate's manipulation, taking advantage of the season. It remains to be seen how the pace of supply and government monitoring over the next few weeks will help control the market.

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