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Delectable summer fruits still pretty pricey

Shahnaz Parveen
The delectable summer fruits have started to arrive in the city markets, though most of them are still beyond the capacity of the commoner's wallet.
Most fruits are being sold at double the last year's prices. Wholesale traders at Karwan Bazar said the prices would hopefully decline within a couple ofweeks.
Traders attributed the high prices of fruits to the increased cultivation and transport costs.
They predict a supply shortage of fruits this season as extreme weather, especially rain during winter and spring, has affected the harvest of some fruits.
Besides, many farmers are switching to paddy cultivation hoping to earn more amid the rising trend in rice prices.
However, watermelon farmers are considerably happy. The first supply of watermelon has arrived from Bhola and some northern districts like Thakurgaon. Mountains of watermelons can be found at various fruit markets in the city.
Price is also mountain high. In the fruit shop a small size watermelon costs from Tk 60 to Tk 80 while a large one from Tk 120toTkl50.
Mohammad Aziz, a watermelon trader at Karwanbazar wholesale fruit market, said farmers in some parts of the country have seen a good harvest this season because of the extreme heat, which is suitable for watermelon cultivation.
The white-fleshed melon locally known as Bangi also saw a good harvest. A medium size Bangi costs about Tk 50 to Tk 60 in Dhaka's fruit markets.
Hazi Abdul Baten, a Bangi wholesaler, said the first shipment of Bangi arrived from Shitakundo and Comilla while the next harvest will arrive from Jessorearea.
The price of banana, one of the most affordable fruits, has also increased. A dozen of bananas are selling between Tk 35 and Tk 40, which \vas around Tk 25 last year.
Banana trader Abdur Rahman from Gopalpur, Chuadanga said summer species shobri and champa have become popular in recent times increasing the demand in the market. A good supply of these bananas has arrived from Chuadanga and Jhenidah.
A small size papaya costs Tk 40 while a large one costsTk 70 to Tk80.
Popular for its medicinal value, a good size wood apple sells at Tk 40 while the price of a hali (4 pieces) of big size can reach up to Tk 400. One of the wholesalers said, "Wood apple is not grown commercially, so its price is always high."
Jackfruit, the largest edible tree grown fruit of the world, is still quite a few in number in the market. A small quantity of this
fruit has arrived from Chittagong. The price is between Tk 130 and Tk 300 depending on size.
Local ripe mangoes are still not available in the market. However, tangy green mangos can be bought at Tk 60 per kg. A considerable amount of ripe Indian mangos are being sold at around Tk 120 per kg.
Extremely popular during summer for the refreshing sweet water, green coconuts sell at Tk 15 to Tk 20. Chico, also found in thesummer, costsTk 60 per kg.
Custard apple, popularly known as Aata, that had almost been missing in the market are becoming popular again. It costs about Tk 90 to Tk 100 per kg. Superstores in the city revived its popularity, the traders said.
Aata seller Abdul Halim said, "People almost forgot about this fruit. It was grown in small quantity in the household level and consumed by the family itself."
"After some department
stores began to display them people started tasting it once again,” he added. “The demand is quite good."
A few baskets of water apple or Jaamrul are just beginning to arrive.
Most customers are now-waiting for fruit prices to come down.
A police constable who was surfing the Karwan Bazar fruit market, said, "The way everything is becoming dearer, I don't even dare to look at the fruits.”
An employee of BTMC while shopping at Karwan Bazar said, "Rice and other essentials must come first. Then I'll think of fruits, which has now’ become a luxury."
Another customer Abdul Halim from Tejturibazar however said, “It is summer time and all the delectable fruits of Bangladesh are available in this season. There is no option but to buy some fruits for the children.”