Mango markets gain peak in Rajshahi, C'ganj

Despite unfavorable weather mango trading has gained momentum with appearance of several varieties of mango in markets of Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj, the two districts known as capital of mango production and its trading.

Besides the market, hat and other growth centre ones, the mango-based trade and business has changed the local economic scenario of the region as a whole.

During the current peak season, Gopalbhog, king variety of mango for its taste and flavour, along with some other delicious varieties like Langra and Himsagar have appeared in the markets in abundance besides other local and developed varieties.

However, the brisk business of Gopalbhog is supposed to be finished within next couple of days.

According to the sources concerned, market price of the seasonal delicious fruit is exorbitant this season due to less 
production caused by mainly prolonged scorching heat and different other natural catastrophes.

Gopalbhog is being sold at Taka 2400 to 2600 per maund while Langra and Himsagar at Tk 2000 to Tk 2200 and Tk 1800 to 2000 in the wholesale markets and there is no possibility of declining the market price in the days ahead.

In Rajshahi city, many places like Shaheb Bazar, Swarnapatty, Seroil, Railway Gate, Luxmipur, Bus terminal, Court Bazaar, New Market, Upashahar Market, Shalbagan, Binodpur, Court Station and Baneshwar Bazar are flooded with mangoes. The traders are doing their brisk business.

Besides the markets-based trading, many vendors are selling mango with vans and other manual vehicles everywhere.

Rahmat Ali, a mango-trader at Bus terminal in the metropolis, said the much-expected buying and selling has gained momentum gradually despite the high price.

Like the previous years, people from across the country are arriving in Rajshahi city and its outskirts especially Baneshawar Bazar to buy quality juicy mangoes.

Meanwhile, around 40 tonnes of mangos are being supplied and transported from Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj districts to different parts of the country including the capital Dhaka everyday at present.

Senior scientific officer of the Mango Research Centre Alim Uddin said that the farming of mango has been increasing every year and the gardeners are earning huge profits by cultivating high yielding and hybrid varieties like Amropali side by side with the traditional and popular indigenous varieties.

Mango is an important agricultural item in the region as income and livelihood of a large number of people is heavily 
dependant on its cultivation, said farmers, traders and agriculture officials.

Seasonal jobs of around 50,000 people were created in the mango-business related multidimensional activities from 
harvesting to final sale besides carrying, basket-making, packaging and segregation.

Rajshahi district deputy commissioner Mejbah Uddin Chowdhury said that the district administration has adopted necessary measures of conducting mobile courts in the mango markets to prevent the adulteration and mixing of harmful chemicals. Besides, awareness programmes are being conducted highlighting the bad affects and impacts of the harmful chemicals.