With Ramadan just days away, lemon prices in Dhaka’s retail markets have climbed sharply, rising nearly four times in two weeks as demand accelerates.
A hali, a set of four, lemons that sold for Tk 20 to 30 only a fortnight ago, is now priced between Tk 60 and Tk 100 in most city markets.
In some cases, large-sized lemons are being offered at up to Tk 120 per hali, though buyers say bargaining can bring the price down to around Tk 100.
Retailers say the spike began last week when prices jumped to Tk 50 to 60 per hali. Since then, rates have continued to climb as consumers prepare for iftar, where lemon juice remains a staple across income groups.
At Shantinagar Bazar on Sunday afternoon, one vendor was asking Tk 30 per piece. A customer eventually bought two for Tk 50 after negotiation. “A few days ago, you could buy a dozen at this price. Now you don’t even get a hali,” said seller Khaled Mia, adding that wholesalers are charging higher rates, leaving retailers little room to adjust.
In Segunbagicha, four out of five vegetable shops were selling lemons at Tk 100 per hali. One shop offered them at Tk 80, but the fruits were slightly ripe and smaller. In Rampura’s Hajipara Boubazar area, a van vendor was selling smaller lemons at Tk 60 per hali.
Despite the sharp price rise, there is no visible supply shortage. Multiple varieties of lemons are available across markets, from smaller local types to larger, long-shaped ones.
However, traders claim farmers are holding back stock in anticipation of higher Ramadan prices, while wholesalers are also storing supplies since lemons can be preserved for some time.
Buyers say the surge is adding pressure to household budgets. Marzina, a customer in the capital, said she walked away after failing to negotiate a lower rate. “I wanted to buy before Ramadan. If this is the price now, it may go even higher in a few days,” she said.
Traders expect prices to remain firm through the first half of Ramadan, driven by strong seasonal demand and speculative stockpiling. Some retailers believe this year’s rates could set a new high at the start of the fasting month.