Fazly mango business surges in Rajshahi
Business Desk:
The Fazly mango trade in Rajshahi is experiencing a surge in activity, driven by both bustling markets and increased online sales following the recent harvesting season.
Popular varieties like Fazly and Amrapali have begun flooding the markets, with prices showing an upward trend. The Rajshahi region-comprising Chapainawabganj, Naogaon, and Natore-is one of the country’s major mango-producing zones, and this year’s yield is expected to be substantial.
Matiur Rahman, a mango grower from Belpukur village under Puthiya Upazila, said the price of Fazly mango has doubled over the last week due to growing demand, reports BSS.
On Monday, one maund of Fazly mango was sold at Taka 1,400 to 1,500 at Baneshwar Bazar, marking an increase of Taka 100 per maund compared to the previous day.
He mentioned that all the branded mango varieties were sold at record-low prices over the past month due to the Eid holidays and suspension of courier services, which had frustrated both growers and traders. “Fazly has now emerged as a variety helping to recoup some of those losses,” he added.
In the same period last year, Fazly mangoes were sold at Taka 2,400 to 2,600 per maund depending on size and quality.
Retailer Shafiqul Islam of Shaheb Bazar Mango Market said Fazly is now the dominant variety in the market following the end of other popular varieties like Gopalbhog and Khirsapat. Amrapali is another variety currently available.
Mango is considered a vital seasonal cash crop in the northwestern region, particularly in Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, and Naogaon. The industry involves a large number of people in various roles during the season.
“It creates seasonal employment and allows many to earn extra income,” said Dr Alim Uddin, former Chief Scientific Officer of the Regional Fruit Research Station.
“Mango brings financial benefits to all classes of people in Baneshwar,” said local trader Shariful Islam. “Even a daily labourer earns between Taka 500 and 1,000 during the season,” he added.
Umme Salma, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Rajshahi, said a production target of 2.60 lakh metric tonnes has been set from 19,603 hectares of land in the district this year.
In Naogaon, mango has been cultivated on 30,300 hectares of land with a production target of 3.87 lakh metric tonnes, said Abul Kalam Azad, Deputy Director of DAE, Naogaon.