Kozhikode, Aug 22 - The high prices of fruits, especialy dry fruits, and other popular Iftar items in Kerala have left this year's Ramadan an expensive affair, say traders and devotees.

The Muslims in Kerala, the second largest community in the state after Hindus, started their month-long Ramadan fast Saturday morning.

Traders in Kozhikode Veliyanagadi, a major market in northern Kerala, said popular Iftar items like dates have come from the Middle Eastern countries, but this year the prices are very high.

Iftar is the first meal after the daylong fast observed during Ramadan. Date is the traditional fruit for Iftar, while lemon juice is the traditional drink.

'Ordinary dates, which were priced in the range of Rs.54 to Rs.254 a kilogram till recently, are now costlier by Rs.40. And dry dates, which were priced between Rs.