Rajshahi, June 13 (V7N)– Mango prices in Rajshahi have seen a significant drop, falling by 300 to 700 taka per maund, as the market grapples with an abundance of supply but a severe shortage of buyers. The prolonged Eid holiday is being cited by growers and traders as the primary reason for the downturn, which has disrupted the usual flow of mangoes to outer districts.

Rajshahi, along with Chapainawabganj and Naogaon, is a key mango-producing region in Bangladesh. Currently, the markets are overflowing with mangoes, with vendors even selling ripe fruits directly from vans on the side of highways.

However, the celebratory period of Eid al-Adha has unexpectedly impacted sales. "Eid has affected the mango market in Rajshahi," explained one trader. "The supply of mangoes in the outer districts has decreased due to the prolonged Eid holiday. As a result, although there is sufficient supply of mangoes at the market, the prices have decreased due to relatively few buyers." Traders are hopeful that prices may rebound once the Eid holiday period fully concludes and market activity normalizes.

At the largest mango market in Baneshwar, Puthia upazila, conversations with sellers and traders on Tuesday revealed a market saturated with fruit but few customers. Current prices for various mango types per maund are:

Khirshapati (Himsagar): 1,000 to 1,400 taka
Langra: 1,200 to 1,600 taka
Amrapali: 1,500 to 1,700 taka (less common at present)
Laxmanbhog: 600 to 800 taka
Gopalbhog: Formerly up to 2,000 taka (price significantly lower now)
Manjur Mia, a mango seller, expressed his predicament, stating, "Today there was no way to avoid buying mangoes. He bought mangoes from a two-bigha garden. The mangoes are ripening and falling. The price of mangoes is very low. Khirshapati (Himsagar) does not say the price. It is being sold for 1,000 to 1,300 taka per maund. But last year at this time, it was bought and sold for 2,000 to 2,500 taka. Before this, it was sold for 1,700 to 1,800 taka per maund."

Mango trader Rajib Hossain noted that this year's weather was favorable for mangoes, leading to more buds and a better yield than last year. However, the timing of Eid al-Adha coinciding with the peak ripening season, coupled with strong sun and heat, caused many mangoes to ripen simultaneously. "Since the mangoes started ripening at the same time, everyone started buying mangoes. On the other hand, there are no buyers. Due to this, the mango market has collapsed," he said.

"I have brought 7 maunds of mangoes," Rajib added. "All of them are Khirshapat, but the size is a bit small. I have sold the mangoes for 1,000 taka per maund. Due to this, there are no buyers or wholesalers in the market. Mangoes cannot be kept on the trees. All the mangoes are ripening. This time, mango cultivation has suffered losses. If the mangoes could have been kept on the trees, the price would have been available after a week."

Trader Jalal Hossain lamented, "This time the price of mangoes is the lowest. There are no people to buy mangoes. Even before Eid, the market was not this low. Mild temperatures are prevailing across the country before and after Eid. Therefore, the mangoes are ripe. Therefore, the supply of mangoes in the market is high. Today, Khirshapati mangoes cost 1200 taka per maund. And the price of Langra mangoes is 1100 taka per maund. If they are sold at this price, the cost of fertilizers, poisons, medicines, and labor will not increase for farmers."

Rajedul Hossain, who buys mangoes from Rajshahi to sell in Tangail, expressed caution. "People are eating less of their food. They will eat mangoes instead of meat. The mangoes are also ripe, and the number of buyers has also decreased. Now it is risky to buy mangoes."

END/RAR/RH/