After the Eid holidays, mango trading has surged in the markets of Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, and Naogaon districts, bringing a variety of delicious seasonal fruits to eager consumers despite high prices.
This year’s mango production has been lower due to prolonged heat waves, which have driven up market prices, causing economic strain for many consumers. Farmers had been concerned that the intense heat would negatively impact their harvest.
Despite these challenges, markets renowned for their mango trade, including Baneswar, Shaheb Bazar, Haragram, Upashahar, Shalbagan, Rajabari, Godagari, Kansat, and Rohanpur, are bustling with activity, invigorating the local economy.
The most popular mango varieties, such as Langra, Khirsapat, and Himsagar, are currently in their final harvesting stage. Farmers and traders are also harvesting other varieties as per local administration instructions. Fazli and Amrapali mangoes have been harvested over the past few days, while Ashwina and BARI Mango-4 varieties will be ready in the coming weeks.
Abu Sayeed, a trader at Baneswar Bazar in Puthiya upazila, noted that all varieties are fetching high prices in wholesale markets based on size and quality. Many small business owners sell mangoes on roadsides or from rickshaw-vans.
Most kitchen and vegetable markets are now flooded with freshly harvested mangoes, creating traffic congestion, particularly during the morning hours.
Montu Sarker, the leaseholder of Baneswar Bazar, mentioned that farmers and traders are following district administration instructions for harvesting mangoes. Consequently, varieties like Gopalbhog, Himsagar, Langra, and Lakhna are naturally ripened and available in the markets.
Wholesale trader Abu Forman Ali reported that Langra and Himsagar mangoes are selling for Taka 3,500 to 4,500 per maund, while native varieties are priced between Taka 3,500 to 4,000. Mango-based trade has significantly boosted the rural economy.
Jamal Uddin, a trader from Shaheb Bazar, said, “We are selling 30 maunds of mangoes at Taka 3,500 to 4,500 per maund on average every day.” Large quantities of mangoes are also being transported to other parts of the country, including Dhaka, via passenger coaches, trains, trucks, and private vehicles.
Online mango trading has also peaked, benefiting both sellers and buyers. Many young entrepreneurs in the region are leveraging social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp to sell mangoes online. This innovation has created job opportunities and ensured fair prices for growers while providing consumers with fresh, formalin-free mangoes.
Mahmudul Faruque, additional director of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), highlighted that there are over 265,000 mango growers and orchard owners in the Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, Natore, and Naogaon districts. Around 130,000 people are involved in various activities related to mango harvesting, sorting, packaging, transporting, and marketing.
Last season, 1,207,263 tonnes of mangoes were harvested, but a decline in yield is expected this year. In Chapainawabganj, mango orchards span 37,604 hectares with an estimated yield of 450,000 tonnes. Naogaon is expected to produce 432,000 tonnes from 30,300 hectares, while Rajshahi is projected to yield approximately 260,000 tonnes from 19,602 hectares.
