Agriculture
Fruits become costlier during Ramazan
July 15, 2013
Skyrocketing prices of fruits in wholesale and retail markets have pushing the buyers beyond their purchasing power, as registering an hike of 50 to 70 percent in all varieties fruits during the first week of the holy month of Ramazan. With the beginning of holy month, the vendors have increased prices of almost all varieties of fruits which are commonly used during 'Iftar' by the faithfuls, as prices continually surging up in anticipation of high demand by the buyers.
Fruits are staple diet usually their demand increase in this important month, but the prices are increased suddenly and totally out of purchase of salaried and daily wage class. Consumers are forced to settle for higher prices after a little bargaining.
According to survey conducted by Business Recorder, here on Sunday, it was noticed that the prices of apples, mangoes, peaches, bananas and dates were registered 50 to 80 percent increase in wholesale and retail markets. The vendors and merchants are swindling faithful in the absence of official prices, as consumers are at the mercy of profiteers during the whole month of Ramazan.
The fruits vendors were displayed official prices list as majority they said that the government had not issued price list during the holy month, whereas government officials are not seen in the market to check overpricing.
Banana is being available at Rs 80 per dozen, which was selling at Rs 40-30 per dozen in the last week. Similarly, mangoes is being sold at Rs100/kg against the Rs 80/kg. Apricot is being available at Rs 200 and Rs 150 against the Rs 100/kg. Peach is being sold at Rs 80 against the Rs 60/kg.
The price of grapes had also increased manifold as available at Rs 300-320 per kg, while apricot is being soled at Rs 200 and Rs 150 against the Rs 100/kg. Peach is being sold at Rs 80 against the Rs 60/kg, while banana is available at Rs100-80 per dozen against Rs 40 and Rs 50 per dozen. Muskmelon is being sold at Rs 50/kg, watermelon is being available at Rs 80/piece.
The buyers complained that the due to unchecked of prices of fruits and other essential commodities in the holy month, the prices are going up by each passing day. They said that vendors are squeezing them with high rates all varieties of fruits, including, melon, banana, watermelon, apple, and grape.
The arbitrary hike in prices of essential commodities and fruits had totally unjust with them, said Wajidullah a buyer, while purchasing mangoes at a pushcart. He added that the vendors try to recover profit of entire 11 months in just one month.
"Is it possible for a salaried class and the poor daily wage earner enjoy this luxury in the holy month", Shumaila Batool, a housewife while purchasing fruit items. She demanded the city district government to issue proper price list and take action against the profiteers, who were swindling faithful with high prices in the holy month.
Khalid Khan, a fruit wholesaler at Hashtnagri market said, the quantity of fruits he used to supply to the retailers has gone up by 35 to 45 percent. "Fortunately this year, the production of apples was very good in Swat, from where we get our stock. Despite huge supply of apples of two qualities, he said that prices were registered high with advent of season, and he further said that most of fruits items were exported to neighbouring Afghanistan, which causes high prices in the local market.
Though, he said there was a good supply complimented by a good demand," but the prices rising with every passing day due to expenses, taxes and other transportation charges. He blamed retailers for charging exorbitant rates of fruits from helpless consumers, which is left at the mercy of profiteers in the absence of any mechanism by the department concerned of the City District Government Peshawar to check unlawful activities of such elements. News Source: Business Recorder
News Collected by agrinfobank.com Team
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Agriculture