Prices of various fruits have surged in Bandarban, with traders attributing the rise in prices of oranges, maltas and pomegranates to increased demand amid a dengue outbreak.
Prices of oranges and maltas have increased by up to Tk200 per kilogram in the past two weeks, putting fruits beyond the reach of many patients and middle-income families.
A visit to Bandarban’s fruit market on Friday found that the price of malta had risen from Tk270 to Tk450 per kg, while Chinese oranges increased from Tk280 to Tk500. Pomegranates rose from Tk380 to Tk460 per kg.
Gala apples increased from Tk340 to Tk360, Fuji Gala apples from Tk320 to Tk330, pears from Tk300 to Tk310 and red grapes from Tk400 to Tk440 per kg.
White grapes, which were previously unavailable in the market, are now selling for Tk500 per kg. Watermelon prices have also risen from Tk80 to Tk90 per kg.
Mohammad Abdul Alim of Siddiq Store, a fruit trader at Bandarban market, said demand had not increased significantly. “Fruit prices are high because our purchase costs have increased. So, we have to sell them at higher prices,” he said.
Papayas, commonly included in the diets of dengue patients, are also in short supply. Meanwhile, large coconuts have risen from Tk120 to Tk160 each, while small ones now sell for Tk120, up from Tk110.
Champak Das, a coconut trader, said demand for coconuts had increased amid the dengue outbreak while supplies had fallen. “When supply falls against higher demand, prices go up. We have little scope to sell them at lower prices,” he said.
According to the Bandarban civil surgeon’s office, 1,095 people have contracted dengue in the district between January 1 and October 2. Two people have died, both from Rowangchhari upazila.
Akim Bom, who was buying fruit for a patient, said the price hikes were making it increasingly difficult for families to afford fruit. “If prices keep rising like this, we may not be able to continue buying fruit,” he said.
Traders expect prices of imported fruits to ease somewhat toward the end of October as the winter season begins and supplies increase.