As Maldives started observing the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, local market prices of produce has remained steady, however, with merchants expecting price chances depending on supply.
The biggest demand in the local market this Ramadan is for locally grown watermelon, chillies and collard greens. This year, the market is dominated by watermelon grown in Thoddoo and Kandoodhoo.
This Ramadan, Thoddoo - an island famous for its watermelon farms - expects to supply between 500-600 tonnes of watermelon.
Like the famous Kandoodhoo chilli, this Ramadan, there is an influx of chilli from Laamu atoll last well. Today, prices of chilli ranged between MVR 20 to 25 while a kilogram sold for MVR 200. This is about MVR 50 cheaper than last week. This price drop is reportedly due to the high supply of produce in time for Ramadan.
A bundle of collard greens is now sold for MVR 15-20, while mangoes have gone down in supply after the season passed. A bag of about 10-12 mangoes now go for MVR 100.
Coconuts, which are also high in demand during Ramadan, is sold for MVR 30-35.
Local merchants said prices are generally steady despite it being the first day of Ramadan but that it would depend on the supply of produce from farmers.
A market vendor told Mihaaru News that their income during Ramadan is usually 100 percent higher than other months. Because of this, vendors also increase the quantity of items they sell during Ramadan. In addition to locally grown products, imported products are also in abundance at the market.
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