Despite an abundance of mangoes in the Rajshahi region, mango farmers and traders are facing significant losses amid the countrywide unrest.
According to traders, the mangoes in the orchards are fully nourished. However, some mangoes are spoiling on the trees due to insects, bats, and birds. Efforts were made to minimize the damage by taking extra care during the mango-picking halt.
On Wednesday, the largest mango market, Banesh market, in Rajshahi's Puthia upazila, was abundant with mangoes but lacked buyers. Fazli mangoes were sold for Tk3,500 to Tk4,000 per maund, Ashina for Tk1,400 to Tk1,600, and Amrapali for Tk4,000 to Tk4,500.
This scenario was mirrored in other markets like Shaheb Bazar, Shalbagan, and Horogram in Rajshahi city.
Moshararof Hossain, a mango seller in Shalbagan, expressed his disappointment, adding that he could not do well in the mango business this season. The situation has worsened at the tail end of the mango season.
In Naogaon, mango sales have come to a halt due to a shortage of buyers. High temperatures are causing mangoes to ripen quickly, leading to wastage in the gardens. Garden owners report significant financial losses due to the inability to sell their produce.
Despite the season nearing its end, there is still a significant mango harvest in the orchards. Mangoes are ripening quickly, indicating they should be picked soon.
Mango harvesting began in the last week of May in Barendra, Naogaon. Commercial varieties like Amrapali, Bari-4, Katimon, and Gourmati start their peak business in the second week of July. However, sales have stopped due to the sudden curfew announcement.
Garden owners are unable to market their mangoes due to the ongoing curfew and transportation issues, leading to further financial losses.
Mango farmers Sahiduzzaman from Rambhadrapur, Naogaon, and Faisal Sheikh from Sapahar reported that no mangoes have been sold in the last four days, causing many to spoil in the garden.
Mizanur Rahman Mizan, a mango farmer from Laughatta of Shibganj upazila in Chapainawabganj, said that traders from other areas are not coming due to the unrest. As a result, he is unable to sell his perishable mangoes, causing him significant distress.
Farooq Hossain, a mango seller in Naogaon Sadar, noted that mangoes previously sold at Tk90 per kg have dropped to Tk60. Many are forced to buy mangoes at high prices and sell them at a loss due to quick spoilage. In the past four days, many mangoes have gone to waste due to a lack of buyers, with prices dropping significantly.
The Department of Agriculture (DoE) set a target of obtaining 4,50,000 tons of mangoes from 32,000 hectares in the district this season, with an estimated market value of Tk2,500 crore.
Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner Shamim Ahmed said that efforts are being made to maintain normalcy.
Rajshahi has a daily curfew from 5pm to 10am the next day, relaxed from 10am to 5pm. Army personnel patrol three times a day, with police, BGB, and RAB members also in the field to maintain law and order.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has not yet specified the curfew duration, which is in place to ensure livelihood and security.