Heatwave drives up demand, prices of green coconuts, ice apples in Dhaka

As the relentless heatwave continues to scorch the capital, Dhaka residents are turning to natural coolers like green coconuts and ice apples for relief, leading to a significant surge in both demand and prices.

A visit to areas like Kallyanpur, Mirpur, Karwan Bazar, and Agargaon today (11 May) showed significant price hikes. Medium-sized green coconuts are now priced between Tk120–150, with smaller ones costing between Tk100–130.

In front of Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, medium-sized coconuts are sold for Tk150, while in Mirpur 11, they are priced at Tk130. In Karwan Bazar, medium-sized coconuts are selling for Tk120–130, while smaller ones are priced at Tk100 each.

"In Moghbazar, the same size coconut costs Tk120," said Anisur Rahman, who bought five small coconuts from Karwan Bazar at Tk100 each. "There's nothing better than coconut water to stay healthy in this heat, so I got some for my family."

Sidewalk vendors in areas like Kalyanpur and Karwan Bazar are selling palm shells for Tk10 each (typically three shells per palm, totaling Tk30). Photo: Md Jahir Rayhan/ TBS

Vendors said that wholesale prices have increased by Tk15–20 per coconut over the past week. 

Mohammad Yunus, a green coconut seller at Karwan Bazar for the past two years, said he bought 120 coconuts in the morning and sold 80 by 3pm.

"Just a week ago, I could buy 1,000 mixed coconuts for Tk7,000–8,000. Now I'm paying Tk9,000–9,500," Yunus said. "The demand has increased, but the supply hasn't. I'm selling medium-sized ones for Tk120–130 each, which is similar to last year's prices during the heatwave."

Another vendor, Minu Mondol, echoed the trend. He had just 25 coconuts left by 3pm after buying 210 that morning. "If it weren't this hot, it would've taken me until 9pm to sell this many," he said. 

Khairul Islam, a seller struggling to find large coconuts, said, "We now have to pay Tk130 wholesale for each large one. It's not easy to get them anymore."

The heat has also fuelled a rise in ice apple consumption. Known for their hydrating properties, the fruits are being sold along roadside footpaths. Each ice apple sells for Tk10 in areas like Kallyanpur and Karwan Bazar, with a whole palm containing three ice apples priced around Tk30.

Abdul Barek, who sells ice apples in Karwan Bazar, said business has been good. "Demand has doubled because of the heat. I sell around 300 pieces a day, making about Tk10,000 daily," he said. "They'll be available for around 20 more days before they start to harden."

Khairul Islam, taking a break nearby, bought two palms for Tk60. "Prices seem higher this year," he said. "Last year, I bought a palm with three ice apples for just Tk20."

According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the capital recorded its highest temperature of the year (40.1°C) on Saturday, followed by 39.2°C yesterday. BMD categorises 38–39.9°C as a moderate heatwave and 40–41.9°C as severe.