Sales of palm shells have surged in Barishal amid the sultry summer heat that made the lives of people unbearable in the region.
When this correspondent visited Barishal City recently, he found that vendors were selling the fruit to the buyers at various locations, including Sadar Road, Nathullabad and Rupatali Bus Terminals, the launch terminal, and Shebachim Hospital. The popularity of this delicious fruit has risen along with other seasonal fruits. Consequently, people from various walks of life were seen enjoying the tasty palm kernel.
Sher-e-Bangla Medical College (SBMC), Barishal Medical Officer Md Shahadat Hossain said, “A palm shell is about 92 per cent consists of water, containing around 29 calories, 6.5 grams of carbohydrates, 43 milligrams of calcium, 0.5 milligrams of minerals, and 4 milligrams of vitamin C.”
He added that being rich in anti-oxidants; prevents cell damage in the body and removes toxins. People of all ages should eat seasonal fruits like palm kernels.
The prices of the seasonal juicy palm kernels have skyrocketed due to the sweltering hot weather.
Each palm shell is sold for Tk 10, and individual pieces are sold for Tk 30.
Md Alam Sikhder, a palm shell seller from Gaila village in Agailjhara, Barishal, mentioned that locally, this fruit is also known as ‘water palm’. Every year during the Jaistha month, he buys palm kernels at wholesale prices from various villages in Agailjhara and surrounding upazilas and sells them to customers in the city.
He bears all the costs from harvesting to transporting to the city for sale. The tree owners receive their payment even before the fruits are harvested.
At the Nathullabad bus stand in the city, Md Salauddin Bepari was selling palm shells. He stated that the newly planted palm trees under the government initiative are still very young and will take a few more years to bear fruit. Due to the lower yield this year, there is a slight shortage of palm shells.
“However, the price of palm kernels is quite good. I am selling each shell for Tk five and business is going well. If I can sell continuously for a month, can earn a substantial amount of money,” he added.
Kobir Hossain, a seller at the launch terminal area, said that due to the increased heat, the sales of palm shells are quite good. Some people are buying one or two, while many enthusiastic customers are buying entire bunches for their families.
He added that harvesting the fruit from the palm tree is a difficult task, requiring extra labour costs. A single tree can yield 300-350 fruits. Sales begin in the first week of Jaistha and continue throughout the month. Each fruit costs between Tk 3-5 depending on the variety, and they are sold for Tk 25-30.
Additional Deputy Director (Horticulture) of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Barishal, Md Shahidul Islam said that the demand for palm kernels has increased due to the intense heat this year. Since it is not possible to mix formalin or any harmful substances in palm kernels, they are in high demand.
In the villages, traders often buy individual palm trees for the season at prices ranging from Tk 800-1,000. Later, they harvest the palm shells and sell them in various places. If the yield is good, they can earn Tk 4,000-5,000 per tree after covering the costs.
He further said that to prevent climate change and lightning strikes, palm trees have been planted on both sides of the road officially from the last few years at the upazila level through the union parishads. Palm trees have now secured a place in the rural economy. Not only economically, but palm trees are also crucial for mitigating disasters like lightning strikes.
Sales of the fruit continue from the beginning of Boishakh (Bangla month) to the middle of Jaistha (Bangla month), about one and a half months. Like other places in the country, the markets of Barishal are also flooded with various fruits, including mangoes and litchis.
