Ishwardi (Pabna) Correspondent :
Price of fruits has increased again in Ishwardi due to Ramadan. In the span of a week, the price of all kinds of fruits increased by 40-60 taka per kg. The increase in price before the fast and the increase in the price after the start of the fast add many fruits out of reach. Consumers are bearing the brunt of the increased prices.
Wholesale traders say that retailers are selling the fruit at high prices to consumers. This is affecting the market. Consumers said that due to the lack of monitoring in all types of fruit wholesale and retail markets, the ultra-profiteering cycle is extorting extra money from the consumers.
In wholesale shops on Wednesday, 20 kg cartons of China class-two apples are being sold at Tk 3,300 to Tk 3,400. Premium quality China apples are selling at Rs 4,500 to 4,700. Similarly, 9 kg cartoon pears were being sold at Tk 1,900 to Tk 1,950. 15 days ago, the price of pear was Tk 1,700-1,750. China mandarin 8 kg carton is selling at Tk 1,500 to Tk 1,600. Grapes and mangoes all come from India. A carton of 19.5 kg of 12 grains per kg was being sold at Tk 5,000 to Tk 5,300. Even a week ago, it was less than 1000 rupees per cartoon. At the beginning of March, the price of these pomegranates was Tk 4,000 to Tk 4,500.
The wholesalers said, “Buying from the importer, the traders do not charge more than 50 rupees per carton including all expenses. This may increase by one and a half to a maximum of three rupees per kg to the retailers. The importer’s statement was confirmed by the price of the fruit sold by the retailers. On the surface, Ishwardi’s college road, old bus stand, railway gate, post office junction retail traders are known to have increased the price of all kinds of fruits at the beginning of Ramadan than a week ago.
Altab, a retail fruit seller, said, “Cartoon cartoons are sold in wholesale.” Retail sold as kg.
A worker’s salary is Rs 800-1,000 per day. If we consider shop rent, employee cost, transportation cost, we can’t make much profit either. No one takes the stained or rotten fruit. That’s why the retail price is a little higher.
Meanwhile, on the first day of Ramadan (March 12), six companies in Ishwardi were fined 36,000 taka by the Directorate of Consumer Rights Protection. These are fined for keeping the prices of watermelons, dates and fruits high during Ramadan. According to sources, raids were conducted in Newhat Green City area and market of Ishwardi. Mahmud Hasan Roni, assistant director of the District Consumer Rights Protection Department, said that some unscrupulous traders in Ishwardi Bazaar and Newhat Green City area are taking advantage of the opportunity to increase the demand for fruits in the holy month of Ramadan. They started selling imported dates, fruits, melons and vegetables at exorbitant prices. He said that the campaign will continue.
