Prices of local fruit have risen as demand grows during Ramadan. Traders say the price of a kilo of fruit has gone up by Tk 20–50 in the past two or three days.

At retail markets, watermelon was selling for Tk 70–80 a kg, Ball Sundari jujube for Tk 100–120 and apple jujube for Tk 120–140. Two days earlier, watermelon was Tk 60, Ball Sundari jujube Tk 100 and apple jujube Tk 80–100.

Aminur Rahman, owner of Dada Fal Bitan, said every fruit had gone up by Tk 10–20. Demand for fruit rises during the fast, he said, but supply has not kept pace, which is why prices have gone up.

At retail, Sabri bananas are selling for Tk 150 a dozen, Bangla bananas for Tk 100, Champa bananas for Tk 75 and Sagar bananas for Tk 140. Bananas are Tk 20–30 dearer per hali (four).

Sellers said that two days earlier a dozen Sabri bananas cost Tk 100–120, Bangla bananas Tk 80, Champa Tk 60 and Sagar bananas Tk 120.

Retailers said that when they buy at the wholesale market, the retail price is set there, and they sell at that price. Because of the extra Ramadan demand, many fruits could not be bought at the desired price, they said.

Bael (wood apple) sells for Tk 100–200 each depending on size, or Tk 60–80 if smaller, and elephant apple (kodbel) for Tk 50 each. Thai guavas cost Tk 80–100 a kg and local guavas Tk 100–120, against Tk 70–90 and Tk 80–100 two days earlier.

Dates range from Tk 200 a kg to nearly Tk 2,000 depending on variety. Zahidi dates cost Tk 200–280 a kg, Saudi Mariam dates Tk 900–1,000 and Ajwa dates Tk 1,200–1,400.

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