Both domestic and imported fruits have become pricey at the start of 2022's Ramadan compared to 2021's, despite huge supply in the market.
Fruit importers blame higher shipping costs, while local traders pointed to high transport costs for the price hike of local fruits.
Visiting different Dhaka markets on Sunday, the first day of Ramadan, UNB saw that imported apple were selling at Tk160-Tk240 per kg based on quality, pear at Tk220-Tk240 per kg, pomegranate at Tk220-Tk240 per kg, malta fruit at Tk 160-Tk210 per kg, orange at Tk140-Tk180 per kg and grape at Tk200-Tk230 per kg.
The price of date has increased by Tk20 to Tk25 per kg and this imported fruit was selling between Tk350 and Tk1,250 per kg based on quality.
Ajwa dates were being sold at Tk350 per kg, Dhapas dates at Tk280, Kalmi dates at Tk300, Farida dates at Tk280 and plum dates at Tk240 per kg in the retail market in Old Dhaka.
The superior quality dates of Tunisia, Algeria and Libya and Mariam were selling between Tk650 and Tk1250 per kg in retail markets in Dhaka.
Md Sirajul Islam, secretary of Bangladesh Fresh Fruits Importers Association (BFFIA), told UNB that the supply of foreign fruits has remained stable in this Ramadan.
He said the prices of imported fruits have increased due to higher shipping charges and devaluation of the Bangladesh taka.
At the same time, the domestic transport cost became higher and also impacted fruits, he said.
Among local fruits, guava (Thai) is selling at Tk70-Tk80 per kg, banana at Tk60-Tk120 per dozen, watermelon at Tk35-Tk45 per kg, pineapple at Tk30-Tk50 per piece, Mango (green) at Tk250-Tk300 per kg and Dragon fruit at Tk450-Tk550 per kg.