Summer fruits — mangoes and litchis — are adorning storerooms of Badamtoli in the capital’s part.
Himsagar, Gopalbhog and Govindabhog varieties of mangoes have started arriving along with litchis from Jashore and Magura districts.
Badamtali holds the reputation of one of the oldest and largest wholesale fruit markets in the country.
Trucks and pickups full of fruits arrive every day for various warehouses. Bargaining is going on in full swing. The influx of buyers is also noticeable.
The reign of fruits basically begins in Badamtoli around the month of Baishakh and Jayishtha. However, now not only mangoes and litchis, many other summer fruits are seen in the market.
It can be seen on the ground that pineapples from Tangail, melons from Rajshahi and watermelons from Chuadanga are being sold in the shops here.
However, as the supply of seasonal mangoes increases, the prices in the market have decreased slightly compared to before.
Currently, Himsagar and Gopalbhog varieties of mangoes are being sold wholesale at Taka 85 to 90 per kilogram (Kg) which is Tk 10 to 15 less than last week.
On the other hand, litchis are being sold in the retail market at Tk 250 to 300 per hundred.
Traders also said that the supply will increase further in two weeks then demand will also be high and the prices will also come within the reach of the general buyer.
Ziaur Hasan of mango selling company Al-Madina Enterprise said, ‘Our market has not yet fully settled. After two weeks, the supply of fruit will increase further. We usually sell wholesale. From here, fruit is supplied to various districts including Chattogram, Cumilla and Feni. Currently, our mangoes are coming from Satkhira.’
Rafiq Mia, a retailer of M/s Rubel Enterprises, said, ‘Our litchis are coming from Jashore and Magura districts. If the supply increases, the price will also be affordable. We are waiting for the full season to start.’
Jasim Hawlader of Tuhin Brothers, another wholesaler, said, ‘We bring mangoes from Jashore. Currently, three varieties of mangoes are available in the market. Earlier, they were sold at Tk 110 to 120 wholesale, but now it has decreased a bit. I hope that sales will also increase if the supply increases in the future.’
Md. Hafizur Rahman, a buyer from Old Dhaka, said, ‘I have come to buy mangoes and litchis from Badamtoli. Although the price is a little high, I hope it will decrease in a few days. The supply of fruit in the market is still low.’
Another buyer, Rukunuzzaman, said, ‘I come to Badamtoli at this time every year. This time the price is relatively high. I hope that I will get good fruit at a lower price in the future.’
As the days go by, the supply of seasonal fruits in Badamtoli is increasing. Shop after shop sells various varieties of mangoes and litchis. The number of trucks is constantly increasing.
The queues of fruit-laden transports waiting outside the market are also getting longer. Buyers and sellers are all hoping that the fruits will soon be available at even lower prices.