Drop in prices sees demand for watermelons spike in twin cities

Official summer fruit crowns iftar table in Ramazan

ISLAMABAD: During the holy month of Ramazan there is a huge demand for all varieties of edible items for both iftar and sehri but as far as iftar is concerned it is a well established fact that fruits play a prominent role at the iftar table.

Among fruits there is once again a variety of choices to pick from and the most common fruits are mangoes, bananas and watermelons

Watermelons being a summer-specialty, and Ramazan falling in the peak of summer with temperatures soaring there has been a huge surge in sales of the juicy fruit this year. The nutritious fruit with sweet watery pink flesh and a lot of black seeds is both in high production as well as demand this year, which is the major reason for its lower prices in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.



Murtaza Khan, a fruit seller at G-7 Market speaking to the media said on Monday that the authorities concerned directed to increase the supply of edible items especially, fruits in this month . The watermelon was being sold at Rs25 to Rs30 per kg before Ramazan but now it was available at Rs15-20 in the markets.

"The fruit, equally popular among all age groups, is being sold in the local markets for the last 15 days and it will remain high in demand for a month till monsoon sets in, which diminishes its original taste," he said.

"A truckload of watermelons is available in the market from Rs200,000 to Rs250,000, and it takes only about a week to get sold," Yasir said.

He was of the view that an unprecedented surge in sales of watermelons has been witnessed this Ramazan

Dr Qasim Raza, a general physician, sharing watermelon's nutrition values said it reduced high blood pressure in overweight people and minimised the risk of heart attacks. "More people could be saved from sunstroke if they take the water-rich fruit like watermelon, which helps in maintaining required water level in the body, besides several other benefits" he said. It also helps in reducing body weight, he added.

Dr Qasim, however, warned patients with high sugar levels to take this delicious fruit in consultation with their physicians. He especially recommended use of watermelon for those who had to work in the sun for a longer period of time to avoid heatstroke and dehydration.

Akbar Satti, a customer purchasing watermelon in Pir Wadhai fruit market, said the fruit was a blessing in disguise for the poor.



Saleem Khan a security guard at a public school said due to meagre salary it was not possible for him to buy other expensive fruits but watermelon, 'a family feast' was still in his approach to beat the heat. Another buyer at G-9 Saasta Bazar Abdullah Saeed said "Watermelon has become a public demand in this month as body gets dehydrated due to fasting added that there is a dire need to tighten the noose around the profiteers who are fleecing the public without any fear and dogging them with unauthorised rates."

The fruit is usually quite cheap, earning it a moniker ‘do-anna’ or ‘two annas’.

Given its juicy nature – with 92 per cent of the fruit consisting of water, some have called for it to be crowned as the official fruit of summer.

No other fruit shouts summer quite like watermelon. It could be its refreshing taste or even the burst of colour that adds vividness to your plate. In fact, there’s more to tarbooz than just its flavour; it boasts some commanding health benefits, too.

Apart from its water and sugar content, the fruit is also packed with a host of key nutrients such as vitamins A, B-6, and C, lycopene, antioxidants and amino acids.

There is even a modest amount of potassium.

Being fat-free, with low sodium and calories, only 40 calories per cup, watermelon is a hot favourite these days, with children, young or elderly.

During Ramazan, many homes consider watermelon to be an essential ingredient for the iftar spread.

“Foods that are high in antioxidants and amino acids allow your body to function optimally,” a dietician Dr Asad Khan said.

Antioxidants help prevent cellular damage and cancer, while amino acids comprise the basic building blocks of protein – which is used for virtually every vital function in the body, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 29^th, 2018.