Special Correspondent: During Ramadan, fruit costs in the capital city continue to soar. Watermelons are selling for 70 to 90 Taka per kilogram on the ninth day of the fast. In a same vein, bananas, oranges, sweet oranges, grapes, apples, and all other fruits are sold at comparatively high costs, making it more costly for regular consumer’s especially lower- and middle-class families to prepare iftar meals.

To satisfy the demand during Ramadan, temporary fruit kiosks have been erected across the city in addition to permanent stores in New Market, Azimpur, and the neighboring districts.

Nonetheless, all retail locations have higher costs. Bananas are among the local fruits that cost between 40 and 60 Taka per dozen. At the moment, a dozen Chapa bananas costs 100 Taka, a dozen Sabri bananas cost 160–180 Taka, and a dozen Bangla bananas cost 140–160 Taka. Depending on size, guavas cost between 100 and 150 Taka per kilogram, while pineapples cost between 40 and 60 Taka each.

Imported fruits are also expensive. Demand for oranges and apples has risen significantly during Ramadan. Oranges are now selling for 310–340 Taka per kilogram, while apples cost 330–400 Taka per kilogram. Grapes are even higher, with green grapes priced at 420–450 Taka and black grapes at around 550 Taka per kilogram. Dates are also unstable in the market, selling between 500 and 1,500 Taka per kilogram depending on quality.

Meanwhile, early-season watermelons are also being sold at high prices. Although the peak season has not fully begun, the watermelons available in the market are selling for 70–90 Taka per kilogram depending on size and quality. Smaller watermelons are somewhat cheaper, but medium and large ones are more expensive. Vendors say that prices are slightly high due to limited supply, but prices may decrease once the season is fully underway.

Vegetable prices for iftar have also risen. Lemon prices have doubled in the past few weeks, with standard lemons selling for 60–80 Taka per half-kilogram and larger lemons 80–120 Taka. Eggplants are priced at 100–140 Taka per kilogram, and local cucumbers at 80–100 Taka.

Traders explain that recent supply disruptions, higher transportation costs, and rising wholesale prices have impacted retail prices. They claim that buying at higher wholesale rates forces them to sell at increased retail prices.

Kamal Hossain, a fruit seller at New Market, said that the watermelon season has not fully started, and prices are slightly higher due to limited supply. However, he expects prices to normalize within a few weeks. He also mentioned that prices for other fruits were already higher before Ramadan and are likely to remain elevated throughout the month.

Consumers say that prices always rise during Ramadan, which has become almost a routine. Many fruits have increased by 50–100 Taka per kilogram in just one week, making it difficult for lower- and middle-income families to buy fruits for iftar.

Ariful Islam, a shop assistant in New Market, said that fruit prices are much higher this year compared to previous years. He explained that employees usually pool money to buy food for iftar, but whereas last year the same amount could buy 2–3 types of fruits, this year it barely buys one.