Why mango prices are so high this year in Rajshahi

According to the "mango calendar" in Rajshahi, which schedules the harvesting and selling of mangoes, varieties like Gopalbhog, Lakshna, Khirsapat, and Guti are currently available. Typically, this region, renowned as the city of mangoes, offers lower prices during this season. However, this year marks an exception as mango prices are surging uncontrollably. Citing lower yields as the reason, the prices for these mangoes have nearly doubled compared to last year, depending on the variety.

Visiting the wholesale and retail mango markets of Rajshahi, it is observed that the mango market is bustling. Due to high prices, it has become difficult for the lower middle class to afford the taste of mangoes, according to customers.

At the Baneshwar market in Rajshahi, current wholesale market prices of per maund mangoes are as follows Gopalbhog mangoes range from Tk3,700 to Tk3,800, Khirsapat from Tk4,000 to Tk3,000, Lakhna from Tk1,700 to Tk1,800, and Guti mangoes from Tk1,200 to Tk2,000.

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Just two days earlier, the prices were slightly lower, with Gopalbhog mangoes selling per maund for Tk2,800 to Tk3,400, Khirsapat for Tk2,800 to Tk3,200, Lakhna for Tk1,400 to Tk1,600, and Guti mangoes maintaining a steady range of Tk1,200 to Tk2,000 per maund.

A mango trader from the Baneshwar area in Puthia upazila, Aminul Islam, said: "Last year at this time, Gopalbhog mangoes were Tk1,800 to Tk2,000 per maund, but this year they are not available below Tk3,500. Last year, Guti mangoes were Tk800 to Tk1,000 per maund, but this year, they are being sold for Tk1,500 to Tk2,000. Khirsapat mangoes, which were Tk1,800 to Tk2,000 per maund last year, are now being sold for Tk3,000 to Tk4,000 per maund. Due to less import of mangoes, the prices are higher."

Shafiqul Islam Sana, a mango farmer from Bagha in Rajshahi, had sold mangoes worth about Tk1 crore last year, including 26 tons exported abroad. He is also cultivating mangoes on 300 bighas of land this year. However, he mentioned that less than half the usual number of mangoes have grown on his trees this year, but his condition is somewhat better compared to other farmers due to more intensive care, which has resulted in better-sized mangoes.

Shafiqul Islam Sana said: "About 5% of the mangoes fell due to the cyclone Remale. However, about 40% of mangoes still remain in my garden. Other farmers are in a worse situation, with less than 20% of mangoes grown in their gardens. On Thursday, I sold 300kg of Gopalbhog mangoes and on Friday, 500 kg."

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Export-size Gopalbhog mangoes, weighing over 200 grams each, are being sold for Tk4,000 per maund. 

This year, the flowering on mango trees in the Rajshahi area was delayed, with fewer initial blossoms. Some blossoms also fell due to hailstorms soon after blooming. Then, intense heatwaves in April caused more young mangoes to drop. Finally, the mangoes fell due to the cyclone Rimale. On Thursday, a sudden storm caused many mangoes to fall.

Dablu, a mango farmer from Charghat Upazila, cultivates various type of mangoes in his 20-bigha orchard. He said: "Those who take better care of their trees tend to have better mango yields. While there were fewer mangoes this year compared to last year, I still have a fair amount of mangoes on all my trees. I believe this is due to the care that was taken.”

Rajshahi Fruit Research Station (FRS) former chief scientific officer Dr Alim Uddin said: "This year, due to a prolonged winter, fewer blossoms grew. The heatwave also caused variations in the mango yield. Altogether, this year is an off-season for mangoes. However, since various types of mangoes are cultivated now, it is possible to compensate for the losses. If one kind of mango does not yield well, another type does. This year, although Gopalbhog, Khirsapat, Himsagar, and Lakhna mangoes had lower yields, the yields of BARI Mango-3, BARI Mango-4, and BARI Mango-11 were good. By selling these mangoes, it is possible to recover from the losses incurred.”

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Wasiim Akram, a teacher from the Baharampur area of Rajshahi city, said: "The mango market is steep this year, so he buys in small quantities."

Monirul Islam, a rickshaw driver from the city, said: "I have not yet focused on mangoes this season because the prices are higher compared to last year. Therefore, I adjust my family's expenses accordingly to consume seasonal fruits with my family."

Rajshahi Additional Directorate of Agricultural Extension sources said mango cultivation has taken place over 93,224 hectares in Rajshahi, Natore, Naogaon, and Chapainawabganj. The target was set for 1,219,910 hectares. Among these, the highest cultivation was of Amrapali (BARI Mango-3), over 24,011 hectares, followed by Ashina over 13,730 hectares, Fazli over 11,977 hectares, Lakshmanbhog over 9,669 hectares, Khirsapat over 9,021 hectares, Langra over 6,715 hectares, and BARI Mango-4 over 3,662 hectares.