Rajshahi, Satkhira mango markets come alive as harvesting begins

Mango harvesting began in Rajshahi and Satkhira following the district administrations' fixed schedules under their respective Mango Calendars today (15 May).

From this morning, growers in different areas started harvesting and marketing Guti mangoes from orchards. Garden owners picked yellowish-green and fully yellow ripe mangoes from trees.

Md Al Mamun Hasan, agriculture officer of Charghat Upazila, said 89% of mango trees produced blossoms this year. He said the trees have a normal quantity of mangoes and there were no hailstorms or strong storms this season.

He added that production is expected to be good this year and farmers will benefit if they receive fair prices.

Some mango trading also took place on the first day at Baneshwar market, one of the district's major mango markets. Depending on variety and size, mangoes were sold at Tk800 to Tk1,200 per maund.

Growers said Guti mangoes have started ripening. Gopalbhog, Lakshmanbhog and Himsagar varieties are expected to mature within the next 10 to 12 days.

Suman Ali from Baneshwar village in Puthia said the colour, appearance, aroma and taste of this year's mangoes are very good. He hopes production will also remain strong.

According to growers, the absence of "Kalbaishakhi" storms in northern areas this year may help ensure a good harvest.

Sagar from Raghunathpur village said the weather has so far remained favourable for mangoes. Farmers expect better prices after Eid when higher-quality mangoes arrive in the market.

Fruit experts said the expected production could meet domestic demand and still allow significant exports.

According to experts, more than 19,000 hectares of land have been used for mango cultivation in Rajshahi this year. If weather conditions remain favourable, mango sales worth Tk780 crore are expected.

According to the Mango Calendar, harvesting of all Guti mangoes began on 15 May. Gopalbhog will be harvested from 22 May, Ranipasand and Lakshmanbhog from 25 May, Himsagar or Khirsapat from 30 May, Banana Mango and Langra from 10 June, Amrapali and Fazli from 15 June, Bari Mango-4 from 5 July, Ashwina from 10 July and Gourmati from 15 July.

Himsagar mangoes enter Satkhira markets

Popular Himsagar mangoes entered markets in Satkhira from today as growers started harvesting the variety following the district administration's schedule.

Himsagar mangoes from the orchard of grower Hafizul Islam Khoka in Kukrali area of the town are being exported to England and Italy. Khoka said four tonnes of Himsagar mangoes from his orchard will be exported today. He sold the mangoes to buyers at Tk3,000 per maund.

Monir Hossain said Himsagar mangoes are now mature and growers can market them from today. He said Langra mangoes can be marketed from 27 May and Amrapali from 5 June.

Earlier, mango harvesting in the district began on 5 May with Gobindobhog and Gopalbhog varieties. This year, the district has set a production target of 70,000 metric tonnes of mangoes, with export expectations of 100 metric tonnes.

At Sultanpur market in Satkhira town, Himsagar mangoes were selling between Tk1,500 and Tk2,500 per maund depending on size and quality. Sellers said prices are comparatively lower than last year as supply in the market is high but the number of buyers remains low.