Fruit Prices Soar in Kaliakair, Leaving Families of Critically Ill Patients in Distress

Fruit prices have risen sharply in markets across Kaliakair upazila of Gazipur, putting many local and imported fruits beyond the reach of ordinary consumers. Families of patients with cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and dengue are struggling to afford fruits their doctors have recommended.

A visit to Kaliakair, Chandra, Mouchak, Safipur, Kalampur, Boali, Srifaltali, Atabaha, Fulbaria and Latifpur markets on Tuesday (October 13) revealed the extent of the price hike.

Imported oranges are selling for Tk 550 per kg, imported malta oranges for Tk 480–500, apples for Tk 350–400, grapes for Tk 450–500 and pomegranates for Tk 450–500. Ripe papayas cost Tk 60–80 per kg, dragon fruit Tk 150–200, guavas Tk 80–100, locally grown malta oranges Tk 70–80 and Katimon mangoes Tk 200–250. Watermelons are selling for Tk 70–80 per kg, while each coconut costs Tk 150–180.

Abul Hossain, a fruit trader at Safipur market, said wholesale prices had risen this year.

“We have to buy fruits at high prices from wholesale markets in Dhaka, including Badamtoli and Karwan Bazar. So we have to sell them at higher prices. When prices are lower, sales and profits are better. Fruits bought at high prices often rot if they remain unsold, causing losses,” he said.

Another trader at Mouchak market said he used to sell two maunds of apples and oranges a day but now struggled to sell even 20 kg. Customers often leave after hearing the prices.

Traders said higher wholesale prices, the dollar exchange rate, import costs and transportation expenses had pushed up fruit prices. They also said business had slowed since August 5, leaving them with little choice but to sell fruits at higher prices.

Toufika Nasrin, 40, a homemaker from Kalampur, broke down in tears as she described her family’s plight.

“My husband has cancer. The doctor told us to give him apples, malta oranges, pomegranates and grapes every day. But apples cost Tk 400 and pomegranates Tk 500 per kg. My husband used to work at a garment factory, but he is now unemployed. We cannot run our household on Tk 8,000. How can I afford these fruits? Will my husband die without them?” she said.

Zainal Abedin, 45, an auto-rickshaw driver from Mouchak, said his mother had heart disease and high blood pressure. Her doctor had advised her to consume coconut water, papaya and guava.

“A coconut costs Tk 150! I used to buy one for Tk 40. How can I spend Tk 150 on a coconut when I earn Tk 400 a day? Am I supposed to let my mother die without treatment?” he said.

Rahima Begum, 38, a garment worker from Safipur, said her son had dengue. The doctor had advised her to give him plenty of malta oranges, orange juice and coconut water.

“Malta oranges cost Tk 500 per kg. My salary is Tk 8,000, and I get no overtime. How can I afford them? My heart is breaking,” she said.

Abdul Malek, 60, a day labourer from Boali, said his daughter was receiving cancer treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Her doctor had advised her to eat apples, grapes and pomegranates every day.

“Oranges cost Tk 550 per kg and grapes Tk 450. How can a day labourer like me afford them? My daughter keeps looking at the fruits, but I cannot buy them for her. As a father, I cannot bear it,” he said.

Fatema Akter, 35, from Srifaltali, said her child had dengue and a low platelet count. The doctor had advised her to provide coconut water, papaya and malta oranges.

“A coconut costs Tk 150. Three would cost Tk 450. My husband is ill, and I work in other people’s homes. Where will I get so much money?” she said.

Residents have urged the authorities to control fruit prices and conduct mobile court drives in Kaliakair’s markets. They have also called for subsidised fruits for patients from extremely poor families.

They fear that without urgent action, many patients will be unable to afford the fruits their families say they need during treatment.