The fruits --- mango, jackfruit, pineapple, lychee, palm and a number of other seasonal fruits --- come here from different parts of the country.

The two wholesale trading points for fruit in the city --- BRTC market for mango and Firingibazar for jackfruit, pineapple and local mango ---are now busy in unloading packs of fruits.

But the traders as well as the vendors expressed their disappointment over poor sale despite adequate supply and production of fruits this year.

Jackfruit and pineapple are coming from three hill districts of Chittagong Hill Tracts. These fruits grow well in Burighata, Marishya, Subhalong, Maini, Longadu of Rangamati and other areas of Khagrachhari and Bandarban.

A big jackfruit was sold at Tk 20 to Tk 30 and a medium one at Tk 10 to Tk 15 in the wholesale market last week. But vendors in city streets or markets sold the same at Tk 100 to Tk 200 and at Tk 50 to Tk 80 respectively. Shamiran Das, a garment worker, said it is the season of jackfruit and there is an abundant supply in the markets but no sign of decrease in price.

The vendors said around 30 to 40 per cent of fruits perish during sale due to the drives of law enforcement agencies as they have no designated place or footpaths to keep the fruits.

They are to make up the loss by selling rest of the fruits at a higher rate, said Rasul, a vendor at Bayezid market.

They also blamed the increased transport cost for the price hike.

Haider, a wholesale trader, said he bought a truck of jackfruits (1200 pieces) at a price of Tk 15 per piece at Marishya of Rangamati. He said he would incur loss due to poor response from retailers.

Rasul said people don't buy jackfruit because of hot and humid weather.

Pineapple coming from Naniarchar, Burughat of Rangamati and other regions of hill districts were sold at Tk 5 per piece at Firingibazar on Sunday while the rate was Tk 15 to 20 in other city markets like Reazuddin Bazar and Karnaphuli Market.

The mangoes of poor quality have flooded the city markets while the traders charge higher prices for them, much to the frustration of the common consumers.

Only two popular genres of mangoes, Himsagar and Langra, from Kushtia, Meherpur and other northern districts, are now on sale here but quality of both the types is not very good.

The wholesale rate of Himsagar and Langra is Tk 35 to Tk 45 per kilogram while retail price is Tk 60 to 70.

Some Langra mangoes of comparatively better quality imported from India, are sold at Tk 80 to Tk 90 in retail markets.

Shahanara Akhter, a housewife at Reazuddin Bazar, said it is really difficult for her family to have taste of the popular summer fruits due to the higher price.

Traders at wholesale BRTC Fall Mondi (Fruit Storehouse) at Station Road said excessive transport cost forced them to charge higher price from the consumers.

Prices of 'Guti', a kind of mango from northern districts and fruits from different areas of Chittagong and hill districts are reasonable as they are sold at Tk 20 to Tk 40 per kg.

Juicy lychee is also far beyond the capacity of the middle class people as 100 pieces of lychee are now sold at Tk 200 to Tk 300 in the city markets.

The traders, however, said the price will be reasonable within a couple of weeks when various kinds of best quality mangoes from Rajshahi and other seasonal fruits start coming here.