The price of green papaya has surged dramatically, rendering it unaffordable for the poor and posing a challenge to their access to this nutrient-rich vegetable. The Department of Agricultural Marketing reported that papaya prices reached an all-time high of Tk 110 per kilogram in April, marking a 100 percent increase from previous prices. Insufficient supply and rising demand have contributed to this surge, while a price gap between farm-level and retail-level prices further burdens consumers.
The decline in commercial papaya farming and reduced production have exacerbated the situation. Green papaya, known for its high vitamin content and enzymes that aid in metabolism, has become increasingly inaccessible to those who once relied on its affordability. Bangladesh, as the seventh-largest papaya producer globally, faces the challenge of meeting the demand for this essential vegetable while addressing the price disparity that hampers the poor’s ability to obtain it.
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