Price of green papaya peaks in city markets

The price of green Papaya has gone through the roof even during the mid-season, selling for Tk 35 – Tk 40 per kg in the wholesale markets and Tk 60 – Tk 65 per kg in the retail markets throughout Dhaka on Thursday.

Not only just papaya, the prices of almost all vegetables have gone up by Tk 5 – Tk 6 per kg in wholesale markets across the city. Vendors said they have never seen such a rise in the prices of raw papaya in the history of selling vegetables.

According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the production of green papaya is increasing every year in the country. Back in 2012, the wholesale price of green Papaya suddenly rose to Tk 20, which in turn raised the retail price to Tk 50.

But usually, green papaya is sold at a wholesale price of Tk 12 – Tk 15 and at a retail price of Tk 25 – Tk 35.

Md Dipu, owner of Jamuna warehouse at the capital’s Karwan Bazar market said, “The price of Green Papaya, which is a commonly used vegetable, has gone up a lot recently.”

Papaya used to come from Rajshahi, Bogura, Manikganj, Chuadanga and some other areas, but the supply has stopped.

According to this trader, there could be several reasons for this, and one of them is that in the last year, many people reduced their cultivation due to not receiving a fair price for the vegetable.

Besides, papaya orchards in many areas have been damaged due to heavy rain this season. Before that, the yield was reduced due to continuous drought.

As the difference between the wholesale and retail market prices are significant, consumers have to buy all kinds of vegetables at higher prices.

According to the BBS, the country produced 292,000 tonnes of green Papaya last year. The production was 288,000 tonnes in the year before that.

Apart from papaya, the prices of other vegetables have also gone up by Tk 5 – Tk 10 a week. Okra was being sold for Tk 12 – Tk 18 per kg in Karwan Bazar on Thursday and Tk 40 – Tk 45 per kg in Segunbagicha.

The wholesale price of Bitter Gourd was Tk 35 – Tk 40 per kg and the retail price was Tk 50 – Tk 60 per kg. Green Chili was sold at Tk 120 per kg. The wholesale price of eggplant was Tk 40 – Tk 45 per kg and retail price was Tk 60 – Tk 70 per kg.

Besides, in the retail markets, arum lobes, spiny gourd, cucumber and yard long bean are being sold at Tk 50 – Tk 60 per kg. Besides, some vegetables including pointed gourd and tomato are being sold at Tk 40 – Tk 50 per kg.

Three winter vegetables – cauliflowers, cabbage and radish – are still available in the market, for Tk 40 – Tk 50.

Vendors say the prices of these vegetables have gone up by up to Tk 10 per kg in the last one week even during the vegetable season due to continuous rains and rising prices of other commodities.

Meanwhile, another piece of bad news is awaiting the buyers in the retail market of daily commodities. Prices are rising due to an increase in import duty and suspension of sugar exports to India.

In the last three to four days, the price of sugar in the wholesale market has gone up by Tk 40-50 per maund. In other words, the price of sugar has increased by Tk 1 – Tk 1.5 per kg. Although the previous price in the retail market is still Tk 70 – Tk 80 per kg.

Besides, prices of lentils and edible oil have gone up even after Eid, and did not drop much in the retail market.

When asked, Sugar seller Abul Hashem of Moulvibazar said, “Even those who have previous stocks of sugar are selling it at the previous rate. But the sellers have to buy it for an additional Tk 40 – Tk 50 per kg if they want the new stock.

“The retail market price may also increase in a few days.”

Although the prices of domestic onion, ginger and garlic have gone down in the market, the price of imported ginger and garlic has gone up by Tk 10 per kg. China garlic is now selling at Tk 160 per kg.

Although the price of broiler chickens in the market has gone down by Tk 10 – Tk 15 per kg in the last week, the price of desi chickens and farm eggs has also increased.

Broilers are being sold at Tk 150 – Tk 155 per kg. The price of desi chicken has been increased by Tk 10 per kg and is being sold at Tk 330. Besides, the price of eggs has increased by Tk 5 per dozen, and now it is being sold at Tk 120 – Tk 125.