Local fruits likely to sideline dates, other imported fruits during Ramadan

The demand for dates usually skyrockets with the advent of Ramadan, but this time the scenario is expected to be a bit different as the market will be flooded with local summer fruits. According to traders in Dhaka, the supply of dates, one of the most popular Iftar items, will be between 30,000 to 35,000 tons against the usual demand of 40,000 tons. The demand for other imported fruits may also see a fall due to the availability of local fruits in the market during the Ramadan, as the season is for mango, litchi, jackfruit, guava, pineapple and other local offerings. As a result, the traders said, people will likely be less interested in imported fruits. Faruk Hossain, a wholesaler at Sadarghat, told UNB that green mangoes have already started hitting the market. In the middle of May, ripe mangoes, as well as other seasonal fruits, will start coming in. Meanwhile, the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh has initially procured 100 tons of dates which it will sell throughout Ramadan. "But the stock may be increased to tackle any possible crisis," said an official, seeking anonymity. Dates are usually imported from Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Tunisia, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Egypt and Pakistan. Bangladesh also buys dates from various African countries that commercially produce them. According to the Bangladesh Fresh Fruits Importers Association (BFFIA), the date market is totally dependent on import as the product is in high demand only during the Muslim month of fasting. Wholesalers and importers have already started procuring dates with Ramadan two weeks away. Different varieties of dates such as Khalas, Muskani, Wasli, Berahi, Dairy, Safwai, Shalabi, Wannah, Mabrum, Khurma, Mariam, and Amirat Gold, among others, are available in the market. They are being sold at a wholesale price of Tk70 to Tk120 per kilogram and from Tk120 to Tk200 in retail. Different varieties of Mariam dates, which are relatively costlier, are being sold at Tk600 to Tk1,200 per kg in wholesale markets. They cost between Tk1,000 and Tk1,800 in the retailing super shops. Md Sirajul Islam, former General Secretary of BFFIA, told UNB that this year there was no reason for the date prices to be high as there was enough supply. He said there was also a good chance of better supply of seasonal fruits this year. "So, there shouldn't be any price hike of fruits in this Ramadan."