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Baneshwar, the largest mango market of the country's "mango capital" Rajshahi, is abuzz with hordes of buyers and sellers, as the bazaar teems with activity during the succulent summer fruit's peak season.
The streets of Baneshwar bazar are now awash with mangoes, as diverse varieties are brought in daily from nearby orchards, augmenting the market's supply. However, purchasers from across the country said that prices this season are relatively steep.
Based on the mango calendar provided by the Rajshahi district administration, the market presently offers an assortment of mangoes, including Gopalbhog, Lakshmanbhog, Himsagar, Ranipachand, Langra and Gutijat. Moreover, Amropali mangoes will hit the shelves on June 10, followed by Fazli on June 15, Ashwina and Gaurmati on July 20, and Ilabati on August 20.
During a recent visit to the Baneshwar market, this correspondent found that Gopalbhog mangoes are currently priced at Tk 2,400 (small) per maund, Tk 2,600 (medium) per maund and Tk 2,800 (large) per maund.
The newly arrived Himsagar (Khirsapat) mangoes are being sold at varying rates, ranging from Tk 2,400 to Tk 2,600 per maund. Besides, the market offers the moderately sweet Lakshmanabhog or Lakna mangoes at Tk 1,500 to Tk 1,800 and Ranipachand at Tk 2,000 to Tk 2,200.
Other categories, including Guti (the season's first batch) and Totapuri (which entered the market last week), are also being traded within the price range of Tk 1,500 to Tk 1,800.
Afaz Uddin Molla, a mango grower and trader, said that the fruits were plucked from the trees once they reached maturity, as per the mango calendar provided by the district administration.
According to him, with an abundance of mangoes in the market during the peak season, the Baneshwar market has become bustling with buyers and sellers, resulting in increased sales and favourable prices.
Molla said that the price of mangoes increases every day. Typically, depending on the variety, the average daily increase ranges from Tk 100 to 200 per maund until the season concludes. Once the season ends, the supply of the fruits diminishes.
After two days, the price of mangoes escalates by up to Tk 500 per maund. Consequently, the price of mangoes does not decrease; instead, it continues to rise.
The "Mango Calendar" was unveiled during a meeting at the deputy commissioner's conference room on May 3. According to the decisions made in that meeting, Guti mango was introduced to the market starting from May 4. Gopalbhog on May 15, Laxmanbhog and Rani Chash on May 20, Himsagar on May 25, Langra on June 6, Fazli from June 15, Amrapali from June 10, Ashwina and Bari-4 from July 10, Gaurmati from July 10, and Ilamati from August 20 will also be available. Moreover, Katimon and Bari-11 are reported to be marketed throughout the year.
Mozdar Hossain, deputy director of Rajshahi Agricultural Extension Department, said there are nearly 3,363,986 mango trees spread over 19,578 hectares of land in Rajshahi. The target for this year is to achieve a production of 13.20 tonnes per hectare.
Based on this target, he said the district has yielded a total of 258,450 tonnes of mangoes. It is anticipated that mango trade in Rajshahi will amount to Tk 15 billion (1,500 crore) this time.