The holy month of Ramadan has begun. During this month devout Muslims abstain from food from sunrise to sunset, and just after the sun goes down they sit down with their families to break the fast. Dates and many other fruits are in heavy demand at this time, so fruit prices rise with demand. This year too, fruit prices in West Bengal's markets are climbing at the start of Ramadan.

Binoy Das, a fruit retailer in Barasat, North 24 Parganas, said prices were a little higher because supply was short of demand. Fruit prices are always somewhat higher during Ramadan, and they will settle gradually, he said.

At retail, a kilo of wax apple (jamrul) was selling for Rs 100, and in some places larger ones were priced at Rs 150 a kg. Watermelon was Rs 30 a kg.

Apples cost Rs 200 a kg, but apples from Turkey, America and Kashmir were selling for Rs 400, and South African apples for Rs 250–300.

A box of blueberries sold for Rs 300, and kiwis for Rs 60 each. Grapes were Rs 100–120 a kg and black grapes Rs 200 a kg.

Pomegranates sold for Rs 180–250 a kg, pineapples for Rs 90 each and papaya for Rs 60–70 a kg. White dragon fruit cost Rs 200 a kg and red dragon fruit Rs 300. Cherries were Rs 2,500 a kg and guavas Rs 100–150 a kg.

Dates are the most prized item at iftar. In Kolkata and its surrounding urban areas, Saudi dates are selling for Rs 250 a box, while local dates cost Rs 180–230.

Cucumber, not a fruit but another important iftar item, sells for Rs 40–50 a kg.

Jewel Chowdhury, a fruit seller in Sealdah, said fruit prices had not risen much. Supply of all fruit is good during Ramadan, he said. Watermelon had been selling for Rs 50–60 a kg until now and is now selling for Rs 30. Apples are a little dearer because supply is short.

Sales are moderate at the start of Ramadan, he said, and he hopes they will pick up after a few days of fasting.

Mohammad Mozhar Chowdhury, who came to buy fruit for Ramadan, said: "Apples I bought for Rs 300 a kg just two days ago are now being offered at Rs 400. Guavas I bought for Rs 80 are now Rs 150. How can I explain why prices are so high? But iftar is not complete without fruit, so even with high prices I have to take a little."

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