Demand for banana in the markets everywhere has increased manifold at the beginning of Ramadan since banana is one of the food items in Iftar and Sehri. Along with that, the price has also increased. Before Ramadan, where every Hali (pieces of four) of Banana was sold at Tk 20-30, now a days, it is sold at Tk 40 to Tk 50.
At the beginning of Ramadan, ordinary buyers have expressed their displeasure with the increase in prices. This beloved fruit has gone beyond the reach of poor and low-income people due to high prices.
Vendors said that all types of bananas have increased by Tk 5-8 each as supply is less than demand. If the supply increases, the price will decrease.
Although it is known that enough bananas are being imported in Rangpur region, the price of bananas is almost double than before. Now the price of small banana is not below 8 Tk. Meanwhile, the buyers are expressing dissatisfaction due to the increase in the price of bananas. In addition, low-income people are especially in trouble.
On the surface, it can be seen that many banana trucks are coming from Fasitla every day in the districts of Rangpur region. Then the traders claim that the supply of bananas is low.
In this regard, banana dealer Muhsin Ali said, I brought bananas from Fasitla. Wholesalers take bananas from me. Banana farmers are demanding a little higher price than before during Ramadan this year. Apart from this, the increase in rent due to oil prices has also had an effect.
Hawkers are selling bananas in various markets of Rangpur city, from tea shops to mobile vans in alleys. However, the price is not low.
Mena Mamud, a shopkeeper of Jaldhaka Upazila of Nilphamari, said, I went to wholesale market to buy bananas and the price has increased a lot in the market. In addition, for the last two days, the supply of bananas in market is very low.
Buyer Mizanur Rahman said, I don't like to eat without banana in Iftari or Sehri during fasting. Eating bananas especially during the sehri time makes the stomach feel cold throughout the day. Because of this, the demand for bananas during fasting is high, but this year, the price of bananas has exceeded the record. I was coming to the market to buy some raw bananas. I saw that the price of a medium-sized banana is 120 taka per dozen. The shopkeeper says that one banana costs 10 taka. Every year, the prices of everything increase during the fast, and the traders have also syndicated the banana market. In this case, what can we small buyers say? Now the demand was 10 bananas now 6 bananas are being purchased due to excess price.
What else can we do to reduce our costs? And the unscrupulous hoarding businessmen must be condemned. Those who are suffering the poor and low income fasting people around the month of Ramadan.
Going to the market area of Jaldhaka Municipal City, traders are seen sitting on the pavement and selling bananas. Bananas are also being sold in market stalls and retail shops. Before Ramadan, where bananas were sold at Tk 20 to Tk 24 per hali, now they are selling at Tk 30 to Tk 36.
Champa, Malbhog bananas are selling more in the local market. The price of all bananas has increased significantly due to the standard.
Buyers complain that a class of unscrupulous traders have created an artificial crisis and increased the prices due to Ramadan.
