Early cultivation, warm winter boost watermelon supply this Ramadan

Summary:

• Prices average Tk20 less than previous Ramdan
• Market now flooded with fully matured watermelons
• Farmers cultivated watermelons targeting Ramadan
• Unusually warmer winter helped boost production
• Wholesalers sell by piece, but retailers by weight
• Barishal region contributes half of watermelon production

An unusually warm winter this season and strategic early cultivation by farmers have brought a bumper crop of ripe watermelons to the market just in time for Ramadan, keeping supply high and prices low.

Buyers and sellers said the market is well-stocked, prices remain lower than in previous years. In Dhaka, watermelons are currently sold by weight, with medium to large-sized ones priced at Tk50–Tk60 per kg. 

Unlike previous years, when unripe watermelons flooded the market, this season's supply predominantly consists of fully matured fruit, they added. 

Md Zahid Hossain, a buyer at Shahjadpur market in Dhaka, told The Business Standard that he had paid Tk70–Tk80 per kg during the last Ramadan. 

"This year, I bought them for Tk50 per kg. Some vendors are selling at Tk40, while others charge Tk60. Overall, the price is reasonable," he said.  

Currently, most watermelons in Dhaka's markets are sourced from the Barishal region, which contributes nearly half of the country's total production

Vendors also point to market dynamics as a factor influencing prices. 

Watermelon seller Khairul Islam in Shahjadpur explained, "I buy 4–5 kg watermelons from Jatrabari at Tk140 per piece and sell them for Tk50 per kg. Some go bad, so we have to sell by weight."  

Weather, cultivation patterns  

Although watermelon is a summer fruit, it can be cultivated year-round. 

Farmers and agricultural experts said January and February are the most suitable months for planting, as the crop takes about three to three-and-a-half months to mature, traditionally making April–May the peak harvesting season.  

This year, however, favourable weather conditions allowed for early cultivation. Bangladesh typically experiences two to three severe cold waves in winter, but this season saw none.

"Had winter been harsher, yields would have been lower," said AKM Kamruzzaman, chief scientific officer at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute.

He also noted that as Ramadan shifts earlier in the calendar, watermelons will continue to be available in the market during February in the coming years. 

"However, prices will always depend on production levels," he added.  

Abu Noman Faruq Ahmed, professor of Plant Pathology at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, said agricultural production is entirely dependent on weather conditions. 

"This year's favourable climate resulted in a high proportion of ripe watermelons early in the season. Farmers are shifting their cultivation timeline to align with Ramadan," he told TBS.

Production and supply  

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, Bangladesh produced 35.51 lakh tonnes of watermelon from 85,000 hectares in the last fiscal year, compared to 36.03 lakh tonnes from 91,000 hectares in FY23.

While official figures for the current season are yet to be updated, officials anticipate higher production than in previous years.

Currently, most watermelons in Dhaka's markets are sourced from the Barishal region, which contributes nearly half of the country's total production. 

Farmers, who in Barishal's six districts cultivated watermelons on 48,000 hectares this season, report promising yields due to the favourable weather.   

Sohel Rana, a watermelon farmer from Chandradwip Union in Patuakhali, brought his produce to the Rupatoli market in Barishal. 

"I was able to harvest my watermelons early, securing good prices. After Eid, prices may drop as more farms begin harvesting. At present, smaller watermelons sell for Tk12,000–Tk14,000 per 100 pieces, while larger ones fetch Tk18,000–Tk20,000," Rana said.  

Wholesale costs, retail pricing  

Wholesale traders said transportation expenses and post-harvest losses significantly impact consumer prices. 

Sheikh Yamin, a trader from Mymensingh who sources watermelons from Barishal, explained, "This year, prices are noticeably higher. I purchase each watermelon at a minimum of Tk250 from the wholesale market, sometimes even more. Adding transportation, labour costs and spoilage, prices inevitably rise at the retail level."  

Rafiqul Islam, owner of Ma-Babar Doya warehouse at Barish al's Port Road market, said farmers have been bringing watermelons to the wholesale market since 14–15 February, adding that  the season will continue for another two months. 

"We always sell by piece, but retailers sell by weight to maximise profit. Currently, 100 watermelons weighing 7–10 kg each are selling for Tk21,000, while smaller 4–6 kg ones are priced at Tk14,000–Tk15,000 per 100 pieces," he added.