After farmers' tireless labour, watermelons go from the field to the market, but with every change of hands the price rises. A watermelon sold for Tk 150 sells in the market for Tk 600. Even as the season's first crop, farmers are deprived of a fair price. The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection says retailers push up the prices, and regular drives are being carried out to control this.

From farmer to retailer, watermelons pass through four hands and sell at four times the price. Wholesalers usually buy watermelons from farmers, sometimes by contracting whole fields, sometimes by the piece. Watermelons bought by the piece from the fields are sold to aratdars (commission agents) in the capital and elsewhere in the country.

Farmers sell each watermelon from the field for Tk 150. Wholesalers and aratdars sell it to retailers for Tk 100-300. Retailers sell a Tk 300 watermelon for Tk 500-700, making 60-130 per cent profit. While aratdars and retailers make double profits, farmers do not get a fair price, and consumers caught in the syndicate's trap are forced to pay high prices.

Under the agricultural marketing law, at most 30 per cent profit can be made from farmer to retailer, but retailers make up to 60-130 per cent. The yield is good this year, though fertiliser and pesticide prices are high, and labour and food costs are all higher. As a result farmers are always at a loss.

When watermelons are ready to ripen, wholesalers buy farmers' fields. After harvesting, transport and tolls, each watermelon costs them around Tk 200, and they sell to aratdars at an average of Tk 220. Prices are reasonably good this year and demand is normal, with medium and small watermelons in more demand than large ones. Watermelons are currently available for Tk 100-250.

Traders claim prices are high because supply is low. Apart from early watermelons, not all kinds have reached the market yet, so prices are a little higher. They also say that whether a watermelon turns out good or bad, the loss is theirs, since buyers will not take the bad ones.

Many buyers complain that it is now the peak watermelon season and there are enough watermelons in the market, but the price is beyond ordinary buyers' reach. Watermelon has become a luxury rather than an everyday item. Under the agricultural marketing rules, 30 per cent profit can be made on watermelons from production to the consumer. But there are some irregularities in the market that need regular monitoring.

When the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection visits a market, prices stay in line, but as soon as they leave, traders try to charge more again. Because consumers are not aware, traders take advantage, so regular drives are needed.

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