The fasting people in Jhenaidah and surrounding south-western districts of the country now depend on the watermelon in the current Ramadan as there are not other juicy fruits available during the holly month this season.
Taking the advantages, a section of fruit vendors has increased the prices of the other imported fruits during the season. Not only that locally produced banana is also being sold at a higher price in the Ramadan.
After visiting a number of fruit markets in Jhenaidah town and other upazila level markets and talking to a number of fruit vendors and consumers, it has been seen that the vendors have been purchasing a piece of watermelon at Taka 200 to 400 from Kuakata in Barishal, Natore, Phultala in Khulna, Rupdah and Noapara in Jashore and some other fruit markets and selling the same with a margin profit to survive with the family. The price did not exceed the previous year rate, they said.
In the other hand, the clients said they have to purchase the same at least 25 to 30 percent higher price in the current season when the holly Ramadan was started. They said each bunch of four pieces of smaller size of banana was selling at Taka eight to ten a few days back that had exceeded Taka twenty.
They also said the imported apple has been selling at Taka 250 to 300 each kilogram as against last year’s Taka 175 to 200, grapes at Taka 250 to 300 as against last season’s Taka 150, orange or malta at Taka 200 to 250 as against Taka 150. The prices of all types of dates were also soar in the market. The consumers have to purchase the same at least 30 to 50 percent higher prices in the Ramadan.
They informed the locally produced guava is selling at Taka 40 to 60 like the last year’s rate. Foreign fruit selling vendors said not for Ramadan, the prices of all imported fruits went high and they are compelled to purchase at an increased rate this season.