Tomatoes now costlier than apples in Dhaka at Tk300 per kg

Surprisingly, tomatoes have become more expensive than apples and other fruits in Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka.

Visiting different kitchen markets on Wednesday, this correspondent witnessed that tomatoes of premium quality are being sold at Tk300 per kg, while apples are sold at Tk270 to Tk280 per kg, and malta at Tk260 to Tk270 per kg.

Joyen Uddin, a vegetable vendor in the capital's Mohakhali kitchen market, said the price was higher because it is not tomato season yet; it is imported from neighbouring India.

The price of tomatoes has also increased in India. All in all, the cost of tomatoes has suddenly increased, he said.

"For the tomatoes we are selling today [Wednesday] at Tk300 per kg, our average wholesale price is Tk280," Joyen said.

Besides, tomatoes are available in the retail market at Tk260 to Tk280 per kg, which is relatively small in size and lower quality production, he said.

Sabbir Ahmed, a local resident of Khilgaon who came to market at Malibagh kitchen market in the capital, said the price of all types of things in the market is high, but "I could not imagine that the price of tomatoes would be this much".

"Before coming to the kitchen market, I bought apples for Tk280 per kg and malta for Tk270 per kg. But when I came to buy tomatoes, I heard that they [retailers] are selling tomatoes for Tk300 per kg," he said.

The vegetable vendors told UNB that two or three days ago tomatoes were sold for Tk400 per kg.