DOT Desk: 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, reports Dhaka Tribune.
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.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.”