The prices of all mango varieties, including Himsagar, Amrapali, and Haribhanga, have surged by over 60 per cent due to a production decrease of up to 70 per cent against the previous year.
Traders report that the supply shortage of mangoes in the country's wholesale markets is causing some varieties to sell out before the end of the season.
Farmers have said that due to the lack of rain during this year's season, the number of buds on mango trees was less. Coupling the damages caused by the cyclonic storm Remal, a large part of the production has been lost.
The ongoing heatwave has also been blamed for the production shortfall of mangoes.
According to information gathered from farmers and traders, Himsagar, a popular mango variety, was being sold at Tk 3,400-4,000 per maund (locally weighted at roughly 45 kg) wholesale in various markets of the Rajshahi production area during the month of May, the beginning of the season. Currently, it is being sold for more than Tk 4,300 per maund.
However, during the same period last year, Himsagar mangoes were being sold at Tk 1800-2500 per maund. At the season's end, the popular variety was being sold at Tk 2400-3000 a maund.
Amrapali, a popular hybrid mango variety, officially hit the market on June 21. However, its steep prices have dissuaded many from purchasing it. Currently, Amrapali mangoes are selling for Tk 3,700-4,500 per maund in the wholesale markets of Naogaon and Rajshahi districts. In contrast, last year's price for this variety was only Tk 2,700 per maund.
Haribhanga, a mango variety primarily grown in the Rangpur region, is currently being sold for Tk 2,500-2,600 per maund in Rangpur's wholesale markets, marking a significant increase from last year's prices of Tk 1,600-1,700 a maund. Meanwhile, the prices for Guti and Lakna mango varieties have also risen, selling between Tk 1,600-2,000 per maund, up from last year's range of Tk 1,100-1,200.
Reduced Rajshahi yields
A trend of reduced yields is consistent across many orchards in the Rajshahi region.
Md Manik Sheikh, a mango producer from Katakhali, Rajshahi, points out the decline in mango production towards insufficient rainfall during the budding stage and the impact of cyclone Remal. Last year, his Amrapali orchard yielded 36 crates of mangoes. However, this year, the same orchard, comprising 20 trees, has produced only 10 crates.
Shafiqul Islam Sana, a mango grower of Bagha in Rajshahi, said, "Half of the mangoes of my orchards have fallen before maturity due to cyclone Remal. However, others' fates are worse, with more than 70 per cent of unripe mangoes falling from their orchards.
Himsagar and Amrapali are the top-selling mango varieties in Dhaka's markets. Himsagar mangoes are currently retailing for Tk 100 to Tk 130 a kg, while Amrapali mangoes are priced at Tk 150 to Tk 160.
Traders have noted that the higher costs for transportation, labour, and packaging compound this year's increase in prices at the farm-level.
Ibrahim Khalil, owner of Muktobazar, an online business, said, "I have traded mangoes since 2017, but I have never seen a price hike like this year's. Almost all kinds of mangoes have to be bought from wholesale markets at prices 60-70 per cent higher than last year. Every wholesale market, including the one at Kansat, Rajshahi, has more buyers than sellers as the mango supply is very low."
He further explains, "The increase in mango prices is just one part of the equation. The costs for crates or cartons used for packing, transportation, and labour have also risen. We need two plastic crates to pack one maund of mangoes, which costs Tk 300, while transportation from Rajshahi to Dhaka costs Tk 200 per maund.
"Additionally, we incur extra expenses for labour, paper, and ropes. On average, packaging costs amount to Tk 15-20 per kg. When we add these costs, the resulting price becomes unaffordable for many in the lower and middle-income groups," he added.
He also noted that as a consequence of this, many traders are hesitant to buy and sell mangoes at these higher prices.
