Sudden spike in price of lemons

The price of lemons has suddenly skyrocketed at Dhaka’s wet markets, reaching Tk 100-Tk 120 per four pieces in some places.

Traders say poor harvest and limited supplies have driven up prices. But buyers are reluctant to buy such reasoning for a Tk 80-100 jump in price.

Small lemons were selling at Tk 80-100 per four pieces at several wet markets in Dhaka on Sunday. Traders were asking for up to Tk 120 for four medium-sized lemons, while large lemons were over Tk 150.

Asked about the spike in price, trader Md Ripon of Raisaheb Bazar said: “The price of lemons has gone up due to Ramadan and because there was no rain. As there is no supply, we have to buy lemons at excessive prices. We are bringing fewer lemons to market as well.”

A buyer said, “Customers have to argue over prices and you start getting into sharp words. The price may fall once it rains.”

Sohel, a trader at the Jatrabari Wholesale Market, said: “The lemon harvest has been small, that’s why the price has gone up. We are having to buy at high prices too. That is why we are selling at high prices.”

Md Selim Mia, who came to Jatrabari to buy lemons, said: “The price of lemons is so high! It will go up even more during Ramadan. It will be a problem for the middle class.”

Md Abul Bashar regularly sells lemons in Jatrabari’s Kajla, but he has not brought them to market for several days due to the spike in price.

He said, “The lemon market has heated up. Tk 100-120 for four. Even if you buy 50 lemons, they won’t sell it to you for less than Tk 100 per four. You can’t get very many buyers by bringing too many lemons.”

Maruf Hasan, a journalist, said: “The lemons I bought for Tk 30 for four in Jatrabari on Feb 8 are now selling at Tk 100 per four pieces. If the price goes up during Ramadan, it will pose problems for the general public. You have to have lemonade for Iftar.”