Fruit prices are out of reach
Private sector employee Md. Mostaq Ahmed got into a fight with the shopkeeper after hearing that the price of malta bought at 270-280 taka per kg three days ago was 300 taka yesterday. In the end, he went home without buying the malta. When we talked, this resident of Basabo area said, I bought malta last Thursday at 270 taka per kg. Today (Sunday), the price of that malta has increased by 30 taka to 300 taka. Nothing, the price has been increased just because the month of Ramadan has started. It has become a tradition, he said with regret.
Many people like Mostaq who went to the market yesterday to arrange fruit for iftar were disappointed after hearing the price. The fruit market was already high. Fruits like apples, malta, oranges, grapes, and pomegranates have become luxury products. Despite this, many people flocked to the market yesterday to have a little fruit for the first iftar of Ramadan. But the high price of the fruit market has really caught fire. Yesterday, it was seen that many of the buyers were leaving after hearing the price. Some were getting into arguments with the shopkeepers. Some were angry and saying that they would not eat the fruit anymore.
Kaushik Ahmed, a private employee living in Kadamtali area, said that before the start of Ramadan, the price of malta, which was 270-280 taka, has increased to 300-320 taka, and a kilogram of oranges has increased from 250 taka to 280 taka. I went to the local fruit market. The price of cane has increased by 20-30 taka in one go. The price of a piece of bell is also asking for 150 taka. The price of a small banana is also on fire. Will the price increase like this because Ramadan has started? I have decided not to eat any more fruit.
After searching various markets including Malibagh, Paltan, Karwanbazar in the capital and talking to retailers, it was learned that in just two days, the price of not only foreign but also local fruits has increased. In the retail market yesterday, apples were sold at 320 to 450 taka per kg, depending on the variety (Fuji, green and Gala), 300 to 320 taka per kg, Malta at 280 taka, China orange at 300 taka per kg, black grapes at 460 taka per kg and green grapes at 340 taka per kg.
Md. Harunur Rashid, a fruit seller at Karwan Bazar, said that the market had been stable for a long time. But prices started increasing from last Friday. In just two days, the prices of apples, Malta and all foreign fruits have increased by 20 to a maximum of 50 taka per kg. Two days ago, apples were sold at 300 to 400 taka per kg, depending on the variety, and Malta at 270 to 280 taka. Apart from this, oranges were sold at 250 taka, black grapes at 400 taka and green grapes at around 300 taka.
Why did the prices increase? The seller could not give a logical explanation for this question. He only said that since the wholesale price increased, they had to increase the retail price as well.
When asked about the sudden price increase, Badamtali wholesalers including Md. Judan Ahmed and Kamruzzaman said that it is not the apple season now. On the other hand, although there is a supply of malt, the price is high due to customs duties. Apart from this, there is a tendency among many retailers to sell at higher prices on the occasion of Ramadan. However, the customs duties will be reduced soon. Then the prices will come down.
Speaking about this, Bangladesh Fresh Fruit Importers Association President Md. Sirajul Islam said that the unloading of some Ramadan fruits has been delayed due to the recent ship being stuck at the port. Due to this, the prices of imported fruits in the market have increased slightly. However, everything is normal now. The prices have decreased slightly in wholesale since today (Sunday). On the other hand, although the customs duties have been reduced, it has not been effective yet. It will be effective in a few days, then the cost of imports will be less. The price will also decrease by 30-40 taka per kg.
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