At the very start of Ramadan, prices of lemon have increased sharply in Sreemangal upazila of Moulvibazar mainly due to supply crunch and high demand.
Traders said that lemon is being sold at prices ranging between Tk 40 and Tk 150 per hali, depending on their quality and size. Limited supply and high demand during the holy month of Ramadan were driving up the prices, they added.
Visit to lemon wholesale markets in Sreemangal on Friday morning showed a steep rise in lemon prices. Where lemons previously sold for Tk 8–10 apiece, larger varieties are now retailing at Tk 20–25 each.
Lemon growers blamed prolonged dry weather for reduced production. “We have to irrigate the hilly orchards, which raises costs,” said farmer Malek Mia. “Months of drought have affected flowering, and yields have dropped.” He added that adverse weather conditions, including heavy fog, also disrupted fruiting.
Traders reported that while a single tree can produce 300–350 lemons during the peak season, many orchards are now yielding only 20–30 fruits per tree. “Supply has been low even before Ramadan, which pushed prices up,” said retailer Dulal Mia.
Consumers expressed frustration at the spike. “I bought medium-sized lemons at Tk 15 each,” said Rahima Begum. “Prices always rise during Ramadan.” Another buyer said she paid Tk 150 for a hali of large lemons, nearly double recent rates.
Sreemangal Orchard Owners’ Association member Saidul Islam Sahid said that drought-hit orchards struggled due to inadequate irrigation facilities. However, he noted that Sreemangal lemons remain popular for their quality and juiciness, sustaining strong demand.
Upazila Agriculture Officer Alaudddin said that the current period is not lemon season and yields are naturally lower. “Demand has outpaced supply, leading to higher prices,” he said, adding that authorities were advising farmers to strengthen irrigation and fertiliser use.
Wholesalers said truckloads of lemons are being shipped daily to Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar and Jatrabari markets, further tightening local availability.
