As summer fruits hit the market, wallets feel the heat

Seasonal fruits like mango, lychee, jackfruit, Jamrul (java apple), and Jam (black plum) have begun cropping up at Dhaka’s markets with the arrival of the Bengali month of Jaishtha.

Shoppers are eagerly asking about the varieties and prices, and many are still buying the fruits despite eye-watering prices to get a taste of the flavours of summer.

These fruits are being sold both wholesale and retail in markets across the city, including the bustling Karwan Bazar. Retail prices, however, are often twice as high as the wholesale rates.

A visit to Karwan Bazar revealed a colourful display of fruits -- mangoes, black plums, lychees, jackfruit, java apples, and safeda -- arranged in baskets. Shoppers crowded around, asking prices. While some walked away after hearing the high rates, others bought small quantities to take home.

Among the mangoes available are the Himsagar, Gobindabhog, and Kalmi varieties. Jamal Hossain, a fruit vendor at Karwan Bazar, said he brought Himsagar and Gobindabhog mangoes from Chuadanga.

“Himsagar is selling at Tk 50–60 per kg wholesale, and Kalmi at Tk 50,” he told bdnews24.com.

However, in the Mohakhali kitchen market, the same mangoes are selling at retail for Tk 120–150 per kg. Sellers explained that the price varies based on the fruit’s size and variety.

Al Amin, from Khan Traders in Karwan Bazar, said: “I brought mangoes from Rajshahi and Dinajpur. Sales have been quite good.”

He sells Gobindabhog mangoes wholesale for Tk 50 per kg but said retail prices can go up to Tk 100. “The difference is due to transport costs and shop rent,” he added.

Among the priciest summer fruits this year are lychees and black plums. Vendors blame low production for the steep prices.

Md Sirajul Islam, another seller at Karwan Bazar, said, “The lychee yield has been poor this year. By the time the fruit reached the market, the season was nearly over. It will disappear from markets in a few days.” He sourced his lychees from Dinajpur. A bunch of 100 lychees sells for Tk 350–400, or Tk 450–500 for higher-quality ones.

One customer, Rafiqul Islam, bought lychees for his son from Sirajul’s stall. “I paid Tk 400 for 100 lychees. It’s too expensive for low-income families, but my child kept asking for them, so I bought some,” he said.

Black plum is also commanding high prices. Large varieties are selling wholesale for Tk 350–400 per kg, while retail prices are reaching Tk 500–550 per kg.

Vendor Joynal Hossain said, “Black plum is not cultivated much anymore. There are fewer trees, so supply is limited. When we pay more, we have to sell at higher prices.”

Jackfruit, the country's national fruit, was among the first to arrive this season. Prices range from Tk 150 to Tk 400 depending on size.

Arif Hossain, another Karwan Bazar vendor, said: “Prices are high now, but they will come down as more jackfruit enters the market.”

A customer named Maqbul bought a jackfruit for Tk 300. “This is the first jackfruit of the season for me. It’s not available in my local market yet, and yes, the price is a bit high,” he said.

Java apple, another summer favourite, is currently among the more affordable fruits. Karwan Bazar seller Abdus Shahid said he sells them at Tk 40 per kg retail. Wholesale prices for five kilograms of the fruit range between Tk 100 and Tk 120. Larger-sized java apples are priced slightly higher.