Watermelon prices have suddenly fallen in Mirsarai, Chattogram. A single watermelon is selling for Tk 50 and a pair for Tk 100.

The scene was seen on the afternoon of Friday, 29 March, beside the road under the footbridge in Mirsarai municipal town. With prices down, people were seen rushing to buy watermelons.

According to inquiries, prices fell because of drizzle on the afternoon of Thursday, 28 March, and sales have slowed too. Many traders are now worried about their capital. Watermelons of a size that sold for Tk 300 only a few days ago are now being sold, of necessity, at two for Tk 100.

Watermelon trader Sarwar Hossain said: "This year I bought a watermelon field in Subarnachar, Noakhali, for Tk 2 lakh. But many watermelons have been ruined in the field because of the rain. Now I am worried whether I can recover my capital. Sales were good from the start of Ramadan, but now they are rotting in the field."

Another trader, Jabed Hossain, said: "We brought in 500 watermelons. We are selling each for Tk 50, a pair for Tk 100. About 200 have been sold. I hope the rest will sell too."

Traders said they buy watermelons wholesale from Subarnachar in Noakhali and from Chattogram and bring them by truck to sell retail in various markets of Mirsarai upazila. Watermelons are grown in the char areas of Mirsarai, but they are not yet fully ready for sale; because the fruit is still immature, watermelons have to be brought in from outside.

Nurul Gani Tuhin, vice-president of the Mirsarai Bazar management committee, said watermelons of a size that sold for Tk 200-300 two days ago are now selling for Tk 50 after a single day of rain. "They made good profits at first. Now they may take some loss."

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