Fruit prices in Dhaka have surged since the beginning of Ramadan, putting dates, apples, oranges, and other fruits beyond the reach of many consumers.

Visits to several fruit markets, including Laxmibazar and Ray Saheb Bazar, on Friday revealed the following prices: oranges at Tk320 per kg, Malta oranges Tk300, white grapes Tk400, apples Tk360, pears Tk400, pomegranates Tk480, black grapes Tk550, guava Tk120, papaya Tk150, and boroi (Indian jujube) Tk100 per kg.

Dates have seen significant increases. Mechjul dates are selling at Tk1,600 per kg, Maryam dates at Tk900, and various Tunisian varieties at Tk650 each, up by Tk50–100 per kg. Sattar, a date seller at Raysahib Bazar, said price hikes are mostly driven by wholesalers rather than sellers.

Sumon, owner of Tawakkul Enterprise at Badamtoli in Sadarghat, said reduced date supply and delivery delays from the port have contributed to the price surge. A customer, Sakib, noted that prices usually rise at the start of Ramadan and urged authorities to control the spike.

In the banana market, local bananas are selling at Tk120 per dozen, Sabri bananas Tk180, and Sagar bananas Tk100 per dozen. Zainal Abedin, a seller at Laxmibazar, cited low yields as the reason for higher prices.

New watermelons were being sold at Tk90 per kg or Tk300 per pitch. Harun, owner of Harun Foods at Ray Saheb Bazar, said watermelon prices are expected to fall when the season peaks, while prices of other fruits may continue to rise amid the ongoing war situation.

Harun added that Fuji apples are being sold at Tk350–400 per kg, Australian apples at Tk320, and foreign green apples at Tk400 per kg. Imported orange prices vary by size, with small oranges at Tk300, large oranges at Tk350, and local oranges at Tk300 per kg.