Tangail, July 1 (V7N) — The market for Bangladesh’s national fruit, the jackfruit, is thriving in Sakhipur, a hilly upazila in Tangail. Each week, jackfruit worth nearly Tk 50 lakh is sold from local rural markets and transported to various districts across the country. Known for its sweet flavor and rich nutritional value, jackfruit is not only a seasonal favorite but also contributes significantly to public health and the local economy—helping with digestion, hydration, immunity, and weight control.

Nearly every household in Sakhipur grows jackfruit trees, resulting in a significant annual yield. Seven key markets—Kutubpur, Boarchawna, Kachua, Mohanandapur, Naluya, Takhtarchala, and Deodighi—host active seasonal jackfruit trading during the summer months.

Among them, Kutubpur Haat is the largest and turns into a bustling fruit hub starting from the Bengali month of Joishtho. Each week, it sees jackfruit sales of approximately Tk 30 lakh, with market days on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

Other markets like Naluya (Thursday), Deodighi (Monday), Takhtarchala (Saturday), Kachua (Sunday and Wednesday), and Mohanandapur (Tuesday) also handle between Tk 20 to 30 lakh worth of jackfruit weekly. Altogether, the total weekly transaction volume from Sakhipur crosses Tk 50 lakh.

Inside the Markets

At Kutubpur Haat, local farmers and vendors begin arriving with jackfruits the evening before market day, continuing through to the next day’s afternoon. Wholesale buyers purchase in bulk and send the fruits by truck to various destinations across the country.

Local traders like Abul Kalam and Bablu Mia said they collect jackfruit from surrounding villages and sell them to wholesale buyers. Depending on size, each jackfruit sells for Tk 30 to Tk 80, while smaller retail traders purchase them directly from trees for Tk 20 to Tk 60 apiece.

Trader Delwar Hossain shared that during the peak season, 15 to 20 trucks of jackfruit leave Kutubpur Haat every week, with per-haat sales reaching at least Tk 15 lakh.

Abdul Jalil, a wholesaler from Narayanganj, said he visits the haat weekly and typically purchases a full truckload—around 2,000 pieces—to sell in Dhaka. “By the end of the week, we make a modest profit,” he said with a quiet smile.

Low Margins Disappoint Farmers

Despite the strong volume, many farmers and small traders expressed dissatisfaction over low profit margins. They noted that the cost of harvesting, transporting, and marketing the jackfruit often outweighs the return, making it a less attractive option over time.

Authorities’ View

Sakhipur Upazila Agriculture Officer Niyanta Barman commented, “Jackfruit is our national fruit, and every part of it is usable—even the peel can be used as cattle feed.” She added that the department is encouraging commercial jackfruit cultivation, stating that with proper planning, farmers can earn significantly higher returns.

As the peak season continues, Sakhipur sets a clear example of how a traditional fruit can not only please the palate but also play an important role in sustaining rural livelihoods.

END/BKC/SMA/