Gabura Bazar in Dinajpur Sadar, the largest wholesale tomato market in northern region, supplies 150–200 tonnes of tomatoes daily to districts across the country.
Located about 4.5 kilometers from the district town on the banks of the Garbheshwari River, Gabura Bazar has earned nationwide recognition as the leading wholesale tomato hub in the northern region. During peak hours, fresh, bright red tomatoes fill the streets, courtyards, and temporary sheds of the bustling market.
During a recent visit, farmers said tomatoes are harvested fresh from the fields each morning and transported directly to the wholesale market. Buyers from districts across Bangladesh arrive daily to purchase produce according to demand.
Farmers cultivate tomatoes based on advance orders from wholesalers, ensuring a steady and consistent supply throughout the season. Tomatoes from Gabura are particularly popular in major cities, including the capital, Dhaka, where they are widely used in restaurants and hotels, especially in salads and a variety of dishes.
Riazul Haque and Atiyar Rahman, farmers from Sheikhpura village near Gabura Bazar, said their tomatoes are often featured in agricultural field exhibitions organized by the Agriculture Department. They noted that demand for tomatoes from the area continues to grow each year.
Farmers recalled that in the past, poor communication and transportation systems led to significant post-harvest losses during the months of Falgun and Chaitra due to limited market access. However, improved infrastructure has dramatically expanded their market reach, ensuring steady demand from the beginning to the end of the season.
Market traders Mirajul Islam and Amjad Ali said tomatoes are now transported in modern trucks to districts including Dhaka, minimizing damage and preserving quality. This efficient supply chain has strengthened profits for wholesalers and enhanced the market’s nationwide reputation.
Sirajul Hasan, Director of the Dinajpur Horticulture Department, described Gabura Bazar as a “Tomato Kingdom,” where the wholesale market appears covered in red produce every day.
Wholesalers from Dhaka, Chittagong, Narayanganj, Faridpur, Gazipur, Cumilla, Chandpur, Cox’s Bazar, and other districts regularly procure tomatoes from the market.
Although tomatoes are traditionally grown as a winter Rabi crop, farmers in Dinajpur have expanded cultivation into the Kharip-1 season. After harvesting Aman paddy, many farmers are now planting tomatoes instead of Boro rice, significantly increasing production and profitability.
According to officials, high-demand varieties such as Suruvi, Rani, and Pavlin are widely cultivated in the area. Each warehouse employs 20 to 30 workers to sort, grade, and pack tomatoes into plastic crates before loading them onto trucks.
Sardar Farid Hossain, a market worker, said between 500 and 700 laborers are employed daily in tasks ranging from unloading produce to sorting, packing, and transportation. Workers earn between Tk 500 and Tk 800 per day.
Md Abdul Jalil, President of the Gabura Tomato Wholesale Market Wholesalers Association, said 25 to 30 truckloads of tomatoes leave the market daily for destinations across the country. “All tomatoes brought to this market are sold. There is no shortage,” he said.
Md Afzal Hossain, Deputy Director of the Dinajpur Agricultural Extension Department, said the department has prioritized tomato cultivation in the region by providing technical support and guidance to farmers. As a result, yields have improved significantly, strengthening Dinajpur’s position in Bangladesh’s agricultural sector.
Once known primarily as a major food-producing district, Dinajpur is now gaining nationwide recognition for its thriving tomato industry and expanding market network.