Rajshahi's Bagha region, the soaring temperatures have significantly increased the demand for palm fruit jelly despite its higher prices this year. With mangoes in short supply, the sweet and hydrating young palm fruits have become a popular choice among locals seeking relief from the intense heat.
 
In Bagha, Rajshahi, mango trees are mostly barren this year. The sight of mangoes is scarce depending on the variety. The market in Jaistho, the honey month, now features young, sweet-tasting palm fruits. However, prices are high. The delicious jelly of young palm fruits is being sold in various markets.
 
To find some relief from the intense heat, school and college students and passersby are flocking to sellers for palm fruit jelly. Despite the higher prices this year, buyers are purchasing it, increasing its demand in Bagha.
 
On Tuesday, a visit to the Bagha municipal market, Arani municipal market, and other markets in the upazila showed that palm fruit jelly is a popular food among people of all ages.
 
On his way home from college, Abdul Hanif Mia, a lecturer at Shahdoula Government College, was buying six young palm fruits. He mentioned that each palm fruit contains three jellies. Considering the number of family members, he bought six. Each large palm fruit cost 15 takas. He said he had bought each palm fruit for 10 takas last year. He added that palm fruit jelly is free from any kind of adulteration. The charm of this seasonal fruit is different!
 
Another buyer, Rejina Akter, said it is difficult for poor people to buy everything. She bought three medium-sized palm fruits for 35 takas for her children, buying fewer other items.
 
Touring the villages in the upazila, one can see clusters of young palm fruits adorning the palm trees. These palm fruits are being brought to the markets in the upazila and sold at higher prices.
 
Palm fruit jelly sellers said that these palm fruits come from various villages during the month of Jaistho. The daily demand for palm fruit jelly in the upazila ranges from 5,000 to 10,000. Due to the lack of rain, the intense heat is expected to increase the demand further. Although production is good this season, prices are higher than last year.
 
Minarul Islam, a resident of Morshidpur village in Bagha municipality, has been selling palm fruit jelly for the past fifteen years. He mentioned that as the heat increases, so does the demand for palm fruit jelly, leading to good sales. Currently, each palm fruit jelly is sold for 10-15 takas.
 
Wholesale seller Shamim Hossain said that last year, he bought 100 palm fruits for 600 to 900 takas. This season, 100 palm fruits cost 800 to 1,100 takas. If sales are good, a daily income of 600 to 1,000 takas is possible.
 
According to nutritionists, the nutritional value of coconut water and palm fruit jelly is almost the same. The sweet-tasting young palm fruit jelly is not only delicious but also rich in nutrients. Since most of it is water, it quickly replenishes the body's hydration.
 
Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Asaduzzaman said that palm fruit jelly contains antioxidants, vitamins, fiber, and minerals. It is very effective for diets. Additionally, it prevents dry skin and hair loss and is beneficial for the liver, constipation, and anemia.
 
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