Mango prices plunge sharply, costs don't rise

A major price drop has been seen in the mango market at Baneshwar Haat, the biggest mango hub in Rajshahi, ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. Small mangoes are being sold for only Tk 400 to 700 per maund and Gopalbhog for Tk 1200 to 1500 per maund. Mango farmers and traders are struggling to cover production costs.

Traders said that demand for mangoes has decreased as people are more interested in meat ahead of Eid-ul-Adha. In addition, due to some stagnation in transportation and courier services, mango supply has also decreased in different parts of the country. As a result, prices in the market have fallen rapidly.

Mango farmers complain that the cost of fertilizers, pesticides, labor and garden maintenance is not rising at the current market prices. Many say that they are facing losses like last year. Especially the price of small and Gopalbhog mangoes is much lower than expected.

However, Himsagar or Kshirsapat mangoes are being sold at comparatively better prices. Currently, this variety of mango is being sold at a price of 1500 to 1800 taka per maund. Traders hope that when people heading to Dhaka start buying mangoes after the Eid holidays, the demand in the market will increase and the prices will also normalize somewhat.

The Agriculture Department said that mango production has increased in Rajshahi this year due to favorable weather conditions. A target of producing about 244,000 tons of mangoes from 19,062 hectares of orchards in the district has been set. Higher production and increased supply have also affected the prices in the market.