Bangladesh has seen bumper pineapple and watermelon yields this season, but low and middle-income bracket consumers aren't benefiting from an abundance of the fruit as prices remain beyond most of their reach.
Middlemen in the supply chain are being blamed for the increase in prices of the fruits at the retail market, compared to those of the wholesale market. Traders at Wiseghat wholesale market said though the supply increased, consumers are not feeling the benefit as the retailers are asking for higher prices.
During the months of March and April, 'Jaldugi', one of the most popular varieties of pineapples, is available in the market.
Small, medium and large pineapples are priced at Tk 6, Tk 10 and Tk 20 respectively in the wholesale market. Small sellers source these costing Tk 500, Tk 1000 and Tk 2000 per hundred pieces respectively in the wholesale market.
At the retail markets a small-size 'Jaldugi' pineapple costs Tk. 10, medium Tk. 20 and large size Tk. 25-30.
Watermelons are also costing almost double than that of the wholesale market. Small- sized watermelon in the wholesale market is priced at Tk. 40, medium Tk. 70 and large Tk. 80-100. But in the retail markets, a small watermelon costs Tk. 80, medium Tk. 150 and large one Tk. 250-300.
