Several traders dealing with dates at different grocery stores and fruit shops across the capital of Bangladesh, told that they have stored sufficient supply of dates ahead of Ramadan, the festival that begins Tuesday
Retail prices of dates, a commodity highly consumed during the holy Ramadan, have seen a decline ranging Tk20-150 per kg (€0.21-1.59) in different category comparing to the previous year, thanks to an adequate supply.
According to Bangladesh Bank data, in the July- March period of the current fiscal year, a total 13,445 of tons of dates have been imported. As of Saturday, a kilogram of date was being sold at Tk100 to 1400 (€1.06-14.87) based on their quality at different markets in Dhaka.
The eating habits of the Bangladeshi people have changed in the recent years. Health-conscious people now consume dates year- round, but the demand for dates usually skyrockets just before Ramadan, said Md Hanif Mia, a wholesale dealer based in Karwan Bazar.
According to Karwan Bazar fruits traders, Dabbas date per kg is currently sold at Tk200-220, Dabbas crown dates per kg at Tk240-250, Nagal date per kg at Tk180-200, Nagal crown per kg at Tk200-220, Algeria dates at Tk300, Tunisia dates at Tk400-420, Saudi Arabia Marium dates at Tk800-850, Irani Marium dates at Tk650-680 and Adam dates at Tk1350-1400 per kg.
Old Dhaka's Badamtali area is the largest wholesale fruits market in Dhaka city. Currently around 250 wholesales and importers are buying and selling fruits in this market.
[ 100 Bangladeshi Taka = €1.06 ]
