Supply shortage pushes up banana prices to MVR 60 per kilo

A shortage in supply of bananas in the Traveler’s Market in Male’ has pushed up the price of the popular fruit.

Mohamed Arif, a vendor at the Traveler’s Market, told Sun that the rise in the price of bananas is due to a shortage in supplies from islands.

A kilo of bananas, which was available for MVR 35 – MVR 40 per kilo at the start of Ramadan, is now up at MVR 50 – MVR 60.

While the price of bananas has jumped, the price of most other produce, including Kandoodhoo chili and pineapple melon, remain stable.

The price of Kandoodhoo chili remains at MVR 430 – MVR 480 per kilo, with a fresh shipment of the popular chili supplied to the Traveler’s Market on Monday.

Meanwhile, watermelons are available for MVR 20 per kilo, pineapple melon for MVR 30 per kilo, papaya for MVR 50 per kilo, melon for MVR 55 per kilo, and pineapple for MVR 60 per kilo.

While the price of many produces remains unchanged, the price of passion fruit has come down slightly from a steep MVR 140 per kilo on Saturday to MVR 120.

Vendors expect the price of certain produce will go up again this Ramadan.

However, the State Trading Organization (STO) has provided assurance it will ensure a steady supply of essential commodities in order to stabilize prices.