Mango growers in Rajshahi are facing financial pressure this season as prices remain low at the well-known Baneshwar Haat, despite a bumper harvest and active trading. Post-Eid demand has been weaker than expected, leaving farmers struggling to cover rising production costs.
The traditional wholesale market in Puthia upazila, home to around 50 mango trading stalls, is seeing a steady inflow of mangoes from orchards across the region. Traders from different parts of the country are still arriving for Rajshahi’s famed mangoes, prized for their aroma and taste. However, orchard owners say current prices are far below production costs.
On Sunday, Gopalbhog mangoes were sold at Tk 1,200–1,500 per maund, while Khirsapat (Himsagar) fetched Tk 1,200–1,400. Premium-grade fruits of these varieties were traded at Tk 1,600–1,800 per maund.
Lower-priced varieties such as Lakhana and Guti mangoes were sold at Tk 400–700 per maund—just over Tk 10 per kilogram—while Rani Prasad mangoes fetched Tk 900–1,200. Langra mangoes, newly entering the market, were sold at Tk 1,300–1,600, compared to around Tk 1,000 per maund during the same period last year.
“We managed to save the crop through regular irrigation despite drought conditions, but there is almost no demand for Guti mangoes,” said orchard owner Anwar Hossain. “As a result, prices have dropped sharply.”
Many growers say the current market rates are not enough to cover orchard maintenance, irrigation, pesticides and labour costs.
Shahidul Islam, who leased a 150-tree orchard for Tk 500,000 over three years, said he had hoped to recover his investment this season. “Production is good, but profits will remain limited if prices stay this low,” he said.
Babu, a farmer from Bagha upazila, said small mangoes selling at Tk 400–700 per maund are failing to generate adequate returns. “Like last year, we are facing losses again,” he said.
Traders attribute the sluggish market partly to reduced buyer turnout during the Eid holidays, though they expect demand to improve in the coming days.
Mintu Sarkar, a trader at Baneshwar Haat, said prices are significantly lower than last year. “Most varieties have become cheaper after Eid due to weak demand,” he said.
Monirul Islam Manik, another trader at Baneshwar Bazaar, said wholesale orders have declined sharply. “We are buying four to five truckloads daily, but sales have fallen by nearly half,” he said.
While growers express concern, consumers are benefiting from lower prices, with many buyers saying affordable rates have made seasonal mangoes more accessible for households and gifts.
According to market leaseholder Zakir Hossain Russell, mangoes worth around Tk 50 million are traded daily at Baneshwar Haat during peak season.
The mango sector also supports thousands of livelihoods, with around 50,000 people engaged in harvesting, sorting, packaging, transportation, and courier services.
Officials of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) say strict monitoring has ensured the marketing of safe and chemical-free mangoes this season.
Industry leaders, however, stress the need for mango processing industries and improved storage facilities to protect growers from market volatility.
“If factories producing juice, jam, pickles, and other mango-based products are established, farmers and traders will receive fairer prices,” said Shamsur Rahman Shantan, senior vice president of the Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The DAE estimates Rajshahi will produce about 243,993 tonnes of mangoes from 19,062 hectares this season, with an expected market value of Tk 800 crore. Favorable weather and the absence of major natural disasters have contributed to the strong yield.
“Production has been excellent this year, and supply in the market is higher than usual,” said Mohammad Nasir Uddin, deputy director of the Rajshahi DAE. “We expect the market to stabilize gradually as the season progresses.”
Experts say that while bumper production is encouraging, investment in storage, transportation, and market management is essential to ensure growers receive fair returns from one of Bangladesh’s most important fruit crops.
