The New Nation - Internet Edition

Talha Bin Habib

Though different varieties of summer fruits have glutted the city markets their prices are still beyond the purchasing capacity of the common people.

Summer fruits like Mango, Jackfruits, Lichi and Kalo Jam are available in the markets in abundance, but common people can hardly afford to buy them because of their high prices.

The Bengali month of Jaistha is considered to be the month of delicious summer fruits. But overwhelming majority of the city dwellers have little access to them for their tight family budget, according to fruit traders.

The traders said the production of summer fruits across the country this year is satisfactory. But people belonging to higher income bracket are their major buyers, they noted.

Abdus Sakur, a private jobholder, said he has not yet been able to buy summer fruits for his three-member family. " I am just hoping that their prices will come down to a tolerable level in a couples of day and buy them for my children", he said.

Fruits wholesaler at the city's Sham Bazar and Karwarn Bazar said high transport cost makes the prices of fruits costlier this year.

They, however, hoped that the prices of Mango, Jackfruits and Lichi and other seasonal fruits would come down to an affordable level in a couple of days.

According to health experts, the summer fruits are not only delicious but also help cool down the body during blistering heat of the season. These fruits build immunisation against various summer diseases. Besides, summer fruits are the good sources of vitamin, minerals and enzymes, they informed.

As per the market survey yesterday different varieties of 'Mango' were selling at high prices. Langra and Chosha varieties were selling at Tk 80 to Tk 90 per kg while local quality was being sold at Tk 60 to Tk 70 per kg. A bundle of one hundred 'Lichi' was prices between Tk 200 and Tk 250 and one medium size of jackfruit cost Tk 60 to Tk 80.