Thousands of farmers in northern Bangladesh, who transitioned from paddy and other crops to mango cultivation, are now facing severe economic distress. While the size of orchards and overall production have multiplied over the last decade, market demand has failed to keep pace.
This imbalance has caused prices to plummet even as production costs continue to rise, creating a bleak outlook for the region’s mango-based economy.
The mango market remains largely confined to domestic consumers. Despite annual promotional efforts, exports remain limited, and the region lacks modern cold storage facilities.
Unlike in other mango-producing nations, a robust processing industry for products such as juice, pulp, or pickles has not been established, meaning surplus yields often lead to losses for growers.
A decade of rapid expansion
The mango economy is a vital source of seasonal employment, supporting orchard labourers, basket weavers, transport workers, packaging staff, and wholesalers. Data from the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) illustrates the scale of expansion.
In Naogaon, cultivation area grew from 6,268 hectares in 2015 to 30,310 hectares this season. In Rajshahi, it rose from 8,986 hectares to 19,062 hectares in the same period.
In Chapainawabganj, the nation’s premier mango hub, land under cultivation increased from 24,260 hectares in 2015 to 37,487 hectares nearly a decade later. Cultivation has also spread across Natore, Rangpur, Gaibandha, Thakurgaon, Dinajpur, Pabna, Satkhira, and even the Padma basin in Shariatpur.
Rising costs vs falling profits
Farmers report that a medium-sized orchard typically produces 40 to 50 maunds of mangoes per bigha.
However, the cost of land leases, fertilisers, pesticides, labour, and transport has surged, bringing the average cost of delivering mangoes to the wholesale market (mokam) to Tk32-Tk34 per kilogramme.
Consequently, farmers generally face losses if mangoes are sold below Tk1,500 per maund.
At Sapahar in Naogaon, Himsagar mangoes are currently selling for Tk900–1,000 per maund, Nag Fazli for Tk1,200–Tk1,500, Guti for Tk1,200, Amrapali for Tk1,600–2,000, and Langra for Tk1,000.
SM Mostaqim, a grower from Badalgachhi, noted that current rates offer little profit, though he hopes for a price hike toward the end of the season. Mohammad Imam Hossain, General Secretary of the Sapahar Upazila Mango Wholesalers Association, attributed the lack of profits to the high cost of inputs and transport.
In Chapainawabganj’s Kansat market, Guti varieties sell for Tk 600–800, Langra for Tk1,300–Tk2,000, and Khirsapati for Tk1,300–Tk2,500 per maund. Monirul Islam, a farmer from Sibganj, lamented that current prices fail to cover maintenance costs.
Agricultural economist Jahangir Alam Khan has advised that importance be given to the development of modern processing and marketing systems under public-private partnerships (PPPs).
He told TIMES, “Unless the preservation, processing, and export systems are improved in line with the increase in production, it will not be possible to make full use of the potential of mangoes.”
Burden of ‘dhalon’ and extra taxes
Kansat, the country’s largest wholesale hub, sees daily transactions of Tk15-Tk20 crore, with the district’s seasonal economy estimated at over Tk5,500 crore. Yet, farmers feel exploited by the “Dhalon” system – a practice requiring them to provide extra weight per maund.
Abdur Razzaq of Chakkirti village explained that while the standard maund is around 40kg, buyers now demand an additional 10 to 14kg. Md Nazrul Islam added that after spending heavily on irrigation and pesticides, being forced to give away extra fruit makes it difficult to sustain cultivation.
Riad Islam, a seller at Kansat, noted that the weight of a “maund” has gradually increased from 43kg to nearly 54kg. Meanwhile, trader Meherul Islam stated that wholesalers would welcome a uniform national weight policy.
The financial burden is further increased by multiple taxes. Trader Rayhan Ali reported that “khajna” is often collected three times: when the farmer sells, at the warehouse, and again when using courier services.
While Sibganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mazharul Islam stated the Dhalon system has been officially abolished, farmers argue such orders are rarely implemented.
Export stagnation, industrial needs
Export figures have been inconsistent since they began in 2016 with 309 tonnes. After reaching 3,100 tonnes in 2022-23, exports fell to 1,321 tonnes the following year. Under the interim government, despite targets of sending 5,000 tonnes to China, only 2,194 tonnes were exported.
Humaira Mandal, deputy director of the DAE in Naogaon, noted that fruit bagging is increasingly vital as it makes mangoes more acceptable for export and fetches higher prices.
Shofiqul Islam Chana from Pakuria emphasised that only through modern processing centres and expanded exports can the industry become truly profitable.
Both DAE officials in Naogaon and Chapainawabganj concluded that processing industries and new international markets are essential to ensure fair prices for farmers.
Mofidul Islam, an officer of the Export Sub-Section of the Plant Quarantine Wing of the Department of Agricultural Extension, said, “It is hoped that an opportunity to export Bangladeshi mangoes to the Malaysian market will be created this year.
“A Malaysian delegation has visited Bangladesh, inspected the mango production and export process, and positive progress has been made.”
Ariful Islam, director of the Exportable Mango Production Project, added, “There are several major obstacles to mango exports. Among these are the high cost of air transport and the lack of sufficient cargo air space.”
Abdul Awal from Rajshahi has contributed to the report.
