850 to Rs.1,200, are dearer by 20 percent now,' said a leading wholesale trader of dates here.

'This time products came from new markets like Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt,' he added.

Prices of lemon went up to Rs.70 a kilogram from Rs.40 to Rs.50 till recently.

Sugar prices have also gone up to Rs.32 per kilogram from Rs.25, traders said.

Devotees said the state government's Ramadan fairs would be more crowded this year because of the high prices of the products in the market.

'The prices of fruits and fruit juices have also shot up. One kilogram of apple today costs in the range of Rs.85 to Rs.100. The Ramadan fairs of the state government are going to be crowded,' said Abubacker, a devout Muslim living here.