Mango farmers in Rajshahi are facing mounting concerns as prices have fallen sharply due to an oversupply of fruit and sluggish demand, raising fears of significant financial losses.
The arrival of Guti, Gopalbhog and Himsagar (Khirsapat) mangoes has boosted market supply, but sales have yet to gain momentum, leaving growers worried about recovering production costs.
At Baneshwar Haat, the region’s largest mango market, daily arrivals have increased substantially since harvesting of Himsagar mangoes began last Saturday. However, traders say the number of buyers and wholesalers remains low compared to the growing supply.
During a visit to the market on Monday afternoon, trucks, pickup vans and other vehicles were seen unloading mangoes from different parts of the district. Many sellers complained that prices were far below expectations.
Currently, Lakshmanbhog mangoes are selling for Tk 500-800 per maund, Gopalbhog for Tk 1,200-1,500, Himsagar (Khirsapat) for Tk 1,500-1,800, and Guti varieties for Tk 400-700 per maund.
According to traders, Gopalbhog mangoes, which entered the market on May 22, initially sold for up to Tk 2,000 per maund but have since dropped to Tk 1,200-1,500. Guti mangoes, which first arrived on May 15 and were priced at Tk 1,000-1,400 per maund, are now selling for Tk 400-700. Lakshmanbhog prices have also fallen to Tk 500-800 per maund, comparable to post-Eid levels recorded last year. Among the major varieties, only Himsagar has managed to maintain relatively strong prices.
Farmers and traders attribute the weak demand to the Eid-ul-Adha season. With consumers prioritising purchases of sacrificial animals and meat, demand for mangoes has declined. Disruptions in transportation and courier services have also reduced shipments to major markets, including Dhaka, further dampening demand.
Babu, a mango grower from Bagha upazila who cultivates around 20 bighas of land, said current prices are insufficient to cover production expenses.
“At Tk 400-700 per maund for smaller mangoes, it is impossible to recover the costs of fertiliser, pesticides and labour. We are facing losses again this year,” he said.
Businessman Fazlur Rahman echoed the concern, saying prevailing market rates do not cover labour, transportation and orchard maintenance costs.
“Selling mangoes at these prices means incurring losses,” he said.
Trader Ismail Ali said the market had performed well before Eid, with Gopalbhog fetching favourable prices.
“Himsagar mangoes are still selling for up to Tk 1,800 per maund, but Gopalbhog prices have been disappointing. If prices do not improve, both traders and farmers will suffer significant losses,” he said.
Mintu Sarkar, a trader who came to purchase Gopalbhog mangoes at Baneshwar Haat in Puthia upazila, noted that the variety sold for around Tk 2,200 per maund last year.
“This year, prices are much lower. As in previous years, the market has weakened after Eid,” he said.
Despite the current downturn, some traders remain optimistic. Trader Sagar said seasonal slowdowns during Eid are common and demand is expected to recover once holidaymakers return to Dhaka.
“People will start buying mangoes again after the holidays, and the wholesale market should regain momentum,” he said.
Baneshwar Haat leaseholder Zakir Hossain also expressed hope that more traders would begin arriving in the coming days.
Under the harvesting schedule set by the Rajshahi District Administration, Banana Mango and Langra varieties can be harvested from June 10, Amrapali and Fazli from June 15, Bari Mango-4 from July 5, Ashwina from July 10, and Gourmati from July 15. Katimon and Bari Mango-11 may be harvested year-round once fully ripe.
The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) estimates that Rajshahi will produce about 243,993 tonnes of mangoes from 19,062 hectares of orchards this season, with an expected market value of around Tk 800 crore.
Favourable weather conditions and the absence of major natural disasters helped preserve most mango blossoms, resulting in a satisfactory yield.
Mohammad Nasir Uddin, deputy director of the Rajshahi District DAE, said strong production had naturally increased market supply, putting downward pressure on prices.
“However, we expect the market to stabilise gradually as mangoes are distributed more widely across the country,” he said.
Agricultural experts say that while high production is encouraging, farmers often fail to benefit fully because of weaknesses in market management and supply chains. They emphasised the need for improved storage facilities, marketing systems and transportation networks to ensure fair returns for growers.
For now, farmers remain hopeful that demand will rebound after Eid and help restore stability to the mango market.