Lemon prices soar at Srimangal amid supply shortage

SRIMANGAL, MOULVIBAZAR, Feb 26: Srimangal, widely known as the 'lemon capital' of Bangladesh, is witnessing a sudden spike in lemon prices as supply dwindles towards the end of the season.
 
Renowned for aromatic and juicy lemons cultivated on hilly terrains and elevated lands, the area supplies lemons to various districts across the country. But with production declining after the main season, a severe price pressure has emerged in markets nationwide.

Currently, lemon cultivation in Srimangal covers 1,235 hectares, with an average annual yield of 9 to 10 metric tons (mt) per hectare. Around 80 per cent of production occurs during the main season, while the remaining 20 per cent comes from off-season crops. This season, total production is estimated at approximately 7,500 mt.

Previously, one hali (4 lemons) was sold for Tk 40-50, meaning Tk 10-12.50 per lemon. Now, prices have surged depending on size: large lemons Tk 100-150, medium Tk 80-100, and small Tk 60-80. Retailers attribute the increase to limited supply, forcing them to charge higher prices.

Discussions with local growers and traders indicate that the price hike is not due to the Ramadan festival, but rather because the season is ending and production has naturally declined. Typically, the monsoon is the peak lemon season when yields are high and prices remain relatively stable. In the dry season, production drops, pushing up prices.

Wholesale buyers also feel the pressure. Zahir Mia, a major trader, said he purchased 2,000 lemons recently, with transport costs bringing the effective per-lemon cost to around Tk 18, meaning Tk 72 per hali. 

Local consumers report rising lemon prices alongside other essential goods since the start of Ramadan, adding financial strain on households. They have called for stronger monitoring by mobile courts and the National Consumer Rights Directorate to regulate prices.

Entrepreneur Md Atar Ali explained that due to lower production, each wholesale cart containing 800 lemons now sells for Tk 17,000-18,000. Each cart includes three different sizes of lemons.

High demand coupled with reduced production has pushed prices considerably higher this season.

Srimangal Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Alauddin said, the current production aligns with official estimates: 1,235 hectares under cultivation, yielding 9-10 mt per hectare, with 80% harvested in season and 20% off-season, totaling about 7,500 metric tonnes. However, he noted that drought and water shortages have slightly reduced output, and combined with increased demand during Ramadan, prices are unusually high.

Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Moulvibazar Md Jalal Uddin, added that it is not the peak lemon season, and currently available lemons have lower juice content. With limited supply compared to demand, prices have risen. He expects that once rains begin, production will increase and prices will be stable.

Agricultural economists note that Srimangal's lemons directly influence national markets, as supply shortages here ripple across districts. Dependence on seasonal production, limited irrigation infrastructure, and climate-related risks are major factors behind price volatility. While rainfall is expected to boost output, price pressure may continue until production recovers.