As soaring temperatures grip Gazipur, demand for ice apple, the translucent flesh of young palmyra palm fruit, has risen sharply, with the seasonal delicacy becoming a popular natural alternative to sugary soft drinks.
The soft, water-rich fruit, locally known as taler shash, is now being sold in large quantities across towns and villages, offering consumers a refreshing way to beat the heat while providing traders and farmers with a seasonal source of income.
Rich in water and nutrients, ice apple is valued for its cooling properties and its ability to help prevent dehydration during the summer months. Consumers say its natural taste and health benefits have made it increasingly popular amid the ongoing hot weather.
However, while palm climbers sell the fruit for as little as Tk1 to Tk2 per piece, the price rises dramatically through the supply chain, reaching Tk20 to Tk30 in urban retail markets.
Alamin, a palm climber, told TIMES of Bangladesh that he recently sold 10 bunches of young palm fruit for Tk200, equivalent to about Tk1 per fruit.
Trader Sarikul Islam said he buys fruit-bearing palm trees for between Tk200 and Tk300 before harvesting the bunches and transporting them to market.
“After paying for labour and transport, my cost comes to around Tk3 to Tk4 per fruit. Most of the produce is sold wholesale at Dhaka’s Kawran Bazar, the country’s largest wholesale market for ice apple,” he said.
Another wholesaler, Nazmul, said he typically purchases a fruit-bearing palm tree from farmers for Tk300 to Tk350. After covering harvesting and transport costs, he sells the fruit wholesale for Tk5 to Tk6 each.
“By the time the fruit reaches neighbourhood retailers, it changes hands several times and is eventually sold to consumers for between Tk20 and Tk30 apiece,” he said.
Agricultural officials say the growing popularity of ice apple is not only benefiting consumers but is also creating seasonal employment and supporting rural livelihoods.
Md Rafiqul Islam Khan, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Gazipur, said the palmyra palm was one of Bangladesh’s traditional fruit crops and remained economically important.
He said around 700 hectares of land across Gazipur’s five upazilas are under palmyra palm cultivation, with large quantities of young ice apple now entering local markets during the summer season.
“The sale of young ice apple is generating income for many rural households and creating seasonal employment. It is nutritious, refreshing and particularly beneficial during hot weather, which explains its growing popularity,” he said.
Rafiqul added that the DAE encourages farmers to plant more palmyra palms every year by distributing free saplings under government incentive programmes.
“Besides their economic value, palmyra palms also help reduce the impact of lightning strikes. We have received an encouraging response from people participating in plantation programmes,” he said.
