Mango markets in Satkhira are buzzing with buyers and sellers now, as the freshly harvested fruit has started appearing.
According to sources, mango harvesting officially started on May 9 in the district, known for being the first district to harvest mangoes each year due to its unique geographical advantages.
Warehouses are packed with varieties of mangoes, which are coming on hundreds of loaded vans from several mango orchards in the villages of the district.
These mangoes are picked from trees and stored in warehouses, where buyers come and purchase them. These mangoes are being sent to different districts including the capital.
According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) in Satkhira, the target for mango production in the district has been set at 50,000 tonnes this year. Out of this, the fruit has been cultivated on 1,235 hectares of land in Sadar Upazila, 658 hectares in Kolaroa, 715 hectares in Tala, 380 hectares in Debhata, 825 hectares in Kaliganj, 145 hectares in Ashashuni, and 160 hectares in Shyamnagar.
The district has 5,299 government-registered mango orchards and 13,100 mango farmers. Overall, mangoes have been cultivated on 4,118 hectares of land this year.
Mango collecting will continue till June. Govindbhoga, Gopalbhoga, Golapkhas, and Sarishakhas varieties of mangoes have already appeared in the market. Buyers from different districts including Dhaka, Rajshahi, and Chattogram are coming to buy these mangoes which are incomparable in taste and aroma. These buyers are also sending the mangoes to individual retail buyers through courier services based on online orders.
On a visit to Satkhira Boro Bazar, this correspondent found that the mango market is bustling from early morning. There is a long line from Satkhira Day-night College Junction to Boro Bazar. Rows of mango-filled vans are entering and exiting.
As far as the eye can see, there are only mango vans. The market is so crowded that there is no place to stand. The Boro Bazar is flooded with mangoes.
Civic leader Principal Ashek-E-Elahi said that due to weather, climate, and geographical conditions, the mangoes from Satkhira came to the market earlier.
Meanwhile, there is haggling between buyers and sellers in the mango market.
Mango trader Humayun Kabir said that depending on size and type, Gobindobhog mangoes are being sold for Tk 2,700-2,800 per maund, and Gopalbhog for Tk 2,500-2,600 per maund.
However, many say that the price of mangoes varies according to their size and colour. Mangoes that are of better size are more expensive.
Meanwhile, many young entrepreneurs are delivering Satkhira's sweet mangoes to consumers in Dhaka and various other districts via courier services. One of them is Apurba Roy.
He said, "Every year, we do mango business during this time. We post about mango prices on social media and do marketing. Then, when buyers contact us, we deliver mangoes to their homes. We act as intermediaries, which gives us some profit. During this season, many entrepreneurs from both Satkhira and other areas stay here and conduct online mango business."
Hafizul Islam, a buyer of mangoes, said, "Satkhira's mangoes are a brand. Compared to mangoes from other districts, Satkhira's mangoes are sweeter and unmatched in taste. You can tell it's a Satkhira mango just by tasting it. Every year, Satkhira's mangoes are exported abroad beyond the country's borders. Additionally, these mangoes are highly valued in Dhaka."
Garden owner and mango trader MA Mazed from Bhaluka Chandpur village in Sadar Upazila said that he takes mango orders online from various districts in the country and delivers them to consumers through courier services with honesty and dedication.
He mentioned that the price of mangoes varies daily. It is difficult to predict whether the price will increase or decrease on any given day. However, the price of mangoes is relatively high this year.
Alamgir Hossain, a mango trader from Rajshahi, said, "Satkhira's mangoes ripen early, so there is a nationwide demand for them. I primarily take online orders for mangoes and supply them across the country. Compared to last year, mangoes have come to the market a bit late this year. However, the demand is immense. I'm receiving a great response online."
Saiful Islam, the deputy director of the DAE, Satkhira, said that mango harvesting in Satkhira started on May 9 with several local varieties. Sequentially, Himsagar will be harvested on May 22, Langra on May 29, and Amrapali on June 10.
He added that not all mangoes on a tree ripen at the same time, so he urged not to pick mangoes before it changes colour.
