Prices of imported fruits fall as winter sets in

Prices of imported foreign fruits including apples, grapes, orange have decreased by Tk 20 to Tk 100 per kg in the market over the last 15 days.

However, Malta price is moving up; its prices increased by Tk 20 to Tk 25 per kg over 15 days. Market sources said fruits were costly in summer; while in winter its demand falls along with prices as people suffer from cold.  
 
Present price of grapes is now Tk 280 to Tk 300 per kg; about 15 days ago it was Tk 350 to Tk 360. Price of apple is Tk 245 to Tk 260, which was Tk 260 to Tk 280 about 15 days ago

The current price of small size apples is Tk 240 to Tk 250 per kg against Tk 300 to Tk 320 about 15 days ago. Large size apples sells now at Tk 280 to Tk 300 against Tk 380 to Tk 400 15 days ago.

The price of orange and lemon varies from Tk 150 to Tk 160 per kg against Tk 190 to Tk 200 about a month ago. The current price of Malta lemon is Tk 260 to Tk 266 which was 230 to Tk 240 15 day ago.

Although the price of fruits has decreased, the sales have not increased.  On the contrary, sales have also decreased by half, sellers claim. Even though fruits price has come down, it has not yet reached at buyers level, so the sale has not increased.

Buyers say they have to deal with the pressure of price inflation while providing daily food to the family. They are in a difficult situation to afford fruits.

Meanwhile, traders say, they have to pay a duty Tk 120 per kg while importing fruits. That is why their cost is increasing while demand remains reduced.

Traders import fruits via Benapole land port to fruit market in Manihar market in Jassore. They sell about 10 to 15 trucks of fruits at the market every day. Their market value is about Tk 2 to 2.5 crores.

The stakeholders demand market monitoring along with reducing import duty to bring the price of fruit within buyers reach. They said foreign fruits price skyrocketed for the last few months because of summer season.

Now that winter has set in sales have almost reached the bottom. Therefore, the price of foreign fruits has decreased. The price may further decrease.

Rashedul Islam, a fruit trader in Rampura market said another reason is that demand for foreign fruits had decreased due to increased prices.

Customers weren buying at high prices. Meanwhile, fruits season has started; so the prices of almost all foreign fruits have fallen.