Staff Correspondent:

The prices of lemons nearly doubled in a week as the month of Ramadan begins on Sunday (March 2).

Due to extra demand, the prices of lemons and eggplants – two major Iftar ingredients – increase every year during Ramadan. This year, lemon prices increased even further as it is not its peak season.

Last week, 4 pieces of medium-sized lemon were sold at Tk40. But now they are being sold at Tk80, as observed during a visit to markets in the Kallyanpur and Hatirpool areas of the capital.

Some traders were seen selling small-sized lemons at Tk40 per four pieces.

“The price of lemons has doubled in just one week. I am selling small lemons at Tk40 taka per hali [four pieces]. Large lemons are being sold wholesale at Tk20 per piece, so I haven’t brought those for sale,” said Abdul Karim, a vegetable seller in the Kallayanpur New Market area.

He said the demand for lemons increases during Ramadan as people make lemonade. “The supply of lemon is low since it is not the season,” Karim added.

At least five other sellers in the market echoed the same as Karim. They said most lemon trees now bear small fruits or flowers, and the lemons available in the market are of the variety that grows year-round, which yields fewer fruits.

Mohammad Firoz, a customer who bought four small lemons for Tk50 in Kallyanpur, said the demand for lemons increases during Ramadan, increasing prices.

“Products with lower demand do not see a price hike. This is normal,” he added.

Meanwhile, cucumbers are selling today at Tk55-60 per kilogram, although the price was Tk30-35 a week ago.

Seller Shamsul Islam said, “A week ago, I bought 40 kilograms of cucumber for Tk900-1,000 in the wholesale market. But now I have to pay Tk1,400-1,500. Last week, I sold cucumbers at Tk30-35 per kilogram, but now I am selling them at Tk50-55.”

He added that the price of tomatoes has not increased and is being sold at Tk25 per kilogram, while green chillies are being sold at Tk60 per kilogram.

Meanwhile, the price of broiler chicken has decreased by Tk10 per kilogram in two days and is now being sold at Tk200 per kilogram. Sugar is being sold at Tk130 per kilogram.

Visiting several areas in the capital, it was found that bottled soybean oil is still not available in most grocery stores. Sellers have been reporting a shortage of bottled oil for almost 20 days.

Last week, eggplants were sold at Tk35 to Tk45 per kg, depending on the quality. However, on the first day of Ramadan, the price has surged to Tk80 per kg.

Abdul Karim, a vegetable seller at Kallyanpur’s Notun Bazar, said, “Long eggplants are in high demand for making beguni.”

While speaking, a customer purchased 200 grams of eggplant for Tk20.