The holy month of Ramadan is under way. Along with fried snacks, people who fast like to have fruit at Iftar, so demand for local and imported fruit peaks this month.

This year watermelons reached the market at the very start of Ramadan, and prices are within reach. In the capital, Dhaka, watermelons are selling for Tk 45 to 60 a kg depending on the area. They can also be bought by the piece, though these are weighed and priced in advance; by quality and weight, they sell for Tk 220 to 500 each.

This was the picture on Saturday (8 March) in Mohammadpur, Mirpur, Uttara, Mohakhali and Rampura in the capital.

Watermelon seller Emon said prices are lower this Ramadan than in other years, and he is selling at Tk 55 a kg.

In Khilkhet and Rampura watermelons can be had for Tk 45 a kg, but these are small, weighing 4 to 5 kg at most. For large watermelons of 7 to 9 kg, buyers have to pay Tk 55 to 60 a kg.

Akondo, a watermelon seller in Mohakhali, said there is plenty of supply in the market now, so prices are lower than at this time in other years. He is selling at Tk 55 to 60 a kg, though buyers can also take them by the piece.

Besides fruit shops, watermelons are being sold in the city's lanes and alleys, and many people are hawking them from vans, where they sell for Tk 45 a kg.

Fruit seller Momin said: "I used to sell vegetables from a van. I started selling watermelons in Ramadan. Demand is good now. After fasting all day, everyone wants watermelon at Iftar. It quenches thirst and keeps the body cool. This year too supply has been good from the start of Ramadan. At Karwan Bazar they are selling for 35 to 45 taka depending on quality."

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