Because of demand during the holy month of Ramadan, watermelons have for several years been reaching the market well ahead of time. As a result, supply usually falls during the main season. Taking advantage of this, prices of the juicy fruit have now risen in both wholesale and retail markets.

At Karwan Bazar in the capital on Friday, 11 April, 100 watermelons were selling for Tk 10,000 to Tk 50,000 in the wholesale market depending on size. In the retail market, watermelon sold for Tk 45 to Tk 60 a kg depending on size and type.

Watermelons are also sold by the piece, though these have already been weighed and priced by the kilo. By the piece, medium-sized watermelons sell for Tk 300 to Tk 400, and small ones for Tk 100 to Tk 250.

Sellers say supply is far lower than demand because the season is over, which is why prices are high.

Shah Alam, a retailer at Karwan Bazar, told Jago News: "Watermelons are thinning out in the market, so prices are rising. A week from now prices will rise further. Shopkeepers (sellers) will fall in number and the wholesale depots will face a shortage too. That's why prices are a bit higher now."

Watermelon wholesaler Hanif Chowdhury told Jago News: "Patuakhali's watermelons are almost finished. Khulna's are coming, but prices have been higher since Eid. It's also getting hotter now, and many watermelons spoil. Medium-sized watermelons now sell for Tk 30,000 per 100. This kind sells the most."

A buyer named Nazir Hossain said: "It isn't Ramadan now, yet watermelon prices aren't falling. You can't get a good-quality watermelon for under Tk 300 to 400. For a fairly large one the price is above Tk 400."

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