Fruits out of reach for mid-income households as Ramadan begins
In the past two to three weeks, imported fruit prices have jumped by Tk50-Tk150 per kilogram. Local fruits like plum, papaya, banana, and guava have also risen by Tk30-Tk60 per kilogram
On the first day of Ramadan, Mahiuddin visited Shahjadpur market in Dhaka to buy fruits for iftar, only to be stunned by the prices. He bought just two maltas, four oranges, four apples, and a small bunch of grapes, paying Tk790 in total.
In the past two to three weeks, imported fruit prices have jumped by Tk50-Tk150 per kilogram. Local fruits like plum, papaya, banana, and guava have also risen by Tk30-Tk60 per kilogram.
"Earlier, I could easily buy a kilo or two of fruit for my children each month, but now even picking a few pieces feels like a struggle," Mahiuddin told The Business Standard, his frustration clear. "Even local fruits are beyond our reach."
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A visit to Shahjadpur, Karwan Bazar, and Eskaton revealed a Ramadan surge in demand for dates, malta, grapes, and apples. Malta and oranges sell at Tk320-Tk360 per kilogram, red apples Tk360-Tk400, green apples Tk430-Tk450, green grapes Tk430-Tk450, red grapes Tk520-Tk550, pears Tk450, and pomegranates Tk500-Tk600.
Supermarkets are pushing the prices even higher: Chinese oranges Tk445, Kinnow oranges Tk400, green grapes Tk500, Australian red grapes Tk695, red apples Tk440, green apples Tk475, malta Tk325, pears Tk410, dates Tk600-Tk1,500, and pomegranates Tk730.
Ramadan demand sends prices soaring, say traders
Traders say the usual surge in demand for iftar essentials is driving the spike. Rezaul Karim, a vendor in Eskaton, told TBS, "Ramadan always brings higher demand, and that pushes prices up."
Locally grown fruits aren't spared either, with shoppers noticing guava, plum, watermelon, and papaya becoming noticeably costlier. Bananas have also shot up in price, leaving many buyers cutting back on their usual purchases.
Dates, a staple at iftar tables, are seeing even steeper rises. Lower-grade Zahidi dates, popular among low-income households, have jumped significantly in just a week, while imported and premium varieties like Dabbas, Kalmi, and Medjool are also climbing steadily.
Many traders also blamed bottlenecks in the supply chain, with shipments of imported fruits, particularly Dabbas dates, languishing at the port. The constrained supply, coupled with soaring Ramadan demand, has sent prices climbing. "Demand is strong, but supply is choked," said Arafat Hossain, a Karwan Bazar trader. "When what people want far exceeds what's available, prices rise naturally."
Experts call for duty cuts
Currently, cumulative import duties on fruits hover around 90%, directly inflating retail prices. Public health experts warn that high import duties are undermining nutrition.
Mahbub Kabir Milon, former member of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority, called the 90% tax "a barrier to public health".
"Fruit is not a luxury item," he told TBS. "Ensuring accessibility and affordability is the state's responsibility to maintain balanced nutrition."
Milon noted that domestic fruit production cannot feed the country's 20 crore people, and not all local fruits are suitable for the sick or elderly. "Certain universally accepted fruits – grapes, apples, pears, oranges, malta – are vital for balanced diets. Even countries with strong local production import fruits to meet nutritional needs."
He criticised the inconsistency of taxing fruits heavily while vitamins and food supplements flood the market. "It makes no sense to boost supplements by taxing fruits. In a welfare state, fruit should never be a luxury."
Nutritionist Samia Tasnim stressed that fruits and vegetables provide essential vitamins and minerals. Deficiencies can cause "hidden hunger," which ultimately contributes to a wide range of health complications such as hair loss, skin issues, and weak immunity. "During Ramadan, at least one date at iftar is essential, and adults should consume 100-250 grams of fruit daily, depending on health and calorie needs."
Vegetables see slight relief
While fruit prices continue to pinch pockets, some vegetables – including eggplant, lemon, and green chilli – saw a slight dip on the first day of Ramadan. Still, prices remain high for middle-income households. Vendors said the marginal drop is due to improved supply.
Thursday market visits to Karwan Bazar, Shahjadpur, Badda, and Hatirpool showed eggplants at Tk70-Tk100 per kilogram, down from Tk120-Tk140 just two days ago. Green chillies fetched Tk80-Tk120, compared to Tk140-Tk180 earlier, and lemons dropped to Tk150-Tk240 per dozen from Tk240-Tk360.
Other vegetables held steady. Cucumbers sold at Tk100 per kilogram, potatoes Tk20, raw papaya Tk80-Tk120, sweet pumpkin and local tomatoes Tk40-Tk60, kohlrabi Tk50-Tk80, and bottle gourd Tk60-Tk70 each.
Bitter gourd was Tk120-Tk160, local carrots Tk40-Tk60, beans Tk40-Tk70 depending on type, cauliflower Tk45-Tk50 per piece, cabbage Tk50, and radish sold at Tk40-Tk50 per kilogram.
Shoppers like Abdul Alim voiced anger over the erratic prices. "How can there be a shortage of lemons? It's peak season! Just before Ramadan, prices shot up overnight. Until traders rethink their approach, nothing will change," he said.
Meanwhile, trader Aslam Hossain acknowledged the Ramadan rush had driven demand up, but added, "Now that supply has picked up, prices have eased a bit – though the relief is only partial."
