Mangoes this season are selling at double the rates compared to last season despite a significant setback in mango production in the country’s Rajshahi region due to drought, lack of rainfall, and hailstorms.
These adverse weather conditions have severely affected orchard owners, leading many to cut down their mango trees and shift their focus to other crops. However, mango sellers and officials of the region’s agricultural department indicate that this will not affect the market.
According to them, mango harvesting in Rajshahi began on May 15 and will continue until August. During this period, more than 13 varieties of mangoes, including Guti, will be available in the market. Consequently, the Rajshahi region is witnessing an extensive four-month-long activity of mango harvesting and selling.
Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner Shameem Ahmed stated that since May 15, all Guti variety mangoes have been harvested and sold. Additionally, Gopalbhog, Ranipachanda, Khirshapat, and Lakhna varieties are available in the market. The harvesting of Langra, Banana Mango, Amrapali, and Fazli varieties began in June. Specifically, Amrapali mangoes will start being harvested from June 15, and Fazli mangoes from June 20.
Mango orchard owners, traders, and wholesalers said that severe drought and lack of rainfall have led to reduced mango yields and smaller-sized mangoes this year. Moreover, in some regions, many mangoes have fallen off the trees due to gusty winds and hailstorms, further reducing the crop.
Rafiqul Islam, a mango grower from Puthia Upazila in Rajshahi, reported that he cultivated mangoes on a total of four bighas of land this season. Among these, two bighas were dedicated to Amrapali mangoes, which did not produce any fruit. The remaining two bighas, which had mixed varieties, yielded less than 40 kg of mangoes.
In response to a question, Rafiqul said that he is cutting down his mango trees and plans to cultivate other crops in the future.
Moinul Islam, a mango orchard owner from Chapainawabganj, reported that he has mango orchards on three bighas in Kakonhat and four bighas in Rahanpur. He said that due to drought and lack of rainfall, the size of the mangoes has decreased, and some trees did not produce any fruit. Despite the lower yield compared to previous years, he hopes that the good prices currently seen in the market will compensate for the losses.
Sohel, a mango grower from Naogaon, mentioned that he has 60 acres of mango orchards and is receiving better prices this year compared to last year. He hopes that if the prices remain high, he will be able to recover some of his losses; otherwise, he will face significant losses.
On the other hand, Zillur Rahman, a wholesaler from Lalpur Upazila in Natore, and Rafiq, a wholesaler from Gurudaspur Upazila, both reported that due to the reduced mango yield this year, they have not been able to conduct their mango business.
Ujjal Hossain, owner of Usha Fruits Bhandar in Tomaltola area of Bagatipara Upazila, said that mango trading began on May 5. Currently, Lokma mangoes are selling for Tk 1,300-1,400 per maund. Himsagar mangoes are priced at Tk 3,500-3,800 per maund, Gopalbhog at Tk 4,000 and Langra at Tk 2,700-2,800 per maund. Mangoes from the Natore region are being transported to Dhaka and other districts across the country.
A survey of various markets in the Rajshahi region revealed that Gopalbhog mangoes are being sold at Tk 100-120 per kilogram. Lakshmanbhog or Lakhna mangoes are selling for Tk 35-40, and Guti or Achari mangoes are priced at Tk 40-50 per kilogram.
Abdul Wadud, deputy director of the Natore Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), said that Gopalbhog mangoes are in the final stages of harvesting while Khirshapat mangoes are currently being picked and sold, with prices remaining high in the market.
He mentioned that severe drought, lack of rainfall, and storms have reduced the yield and size of mangoes. However, compared to previous years, mango prices in the market have nearly doubled, which will help farmers recover their losses.
In response to a question, he added that although many farmers are cutting down mango trees, this will not significantly affect the market.
