Mango prices have started to fall in Chattogram as supplies increase in both wholesale and retail markets.
Large quantities of mangoes are arriving from different parts of the country, offering consumers more choice at lower prices.
The wholesale fruit market, known as Folmondi on Station Road in Kadamtali, is now crowded with traders and buyers. According to traders, mango supply has almost doubled since the Eid-ul-Azha holidays.
Every day, trucks loaded with mangoes arrive from Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, Natore, Satkhira and Chuadanga.
Traders said that while only one or two trucks arrived daily before, four to five trucks are now reaching the market each day. Each truck carries about 12,500 kilograms of mangoes.
Himsagar is currently the most common variety in the market. Other popular varieties, including Langra, Rupali, Bari-4, Amrapali, Haribhanga, Katimon and Banana Mango, are also available.
At present, Himsagar and Langra mangoes are selling for Tk50–55 per kilogram in the wholesale market. In retail markets, they are selling for Tk80–120 and Tk80–100 per kilogram respectively. Rupali and Bari-4 are selling at Tk55–60 per kilogram wholesale and Tk70–100 per kilogram retail.
Premium varieties such as Katimon and Surjo Dim are being sold at wholesale prices between Tk70 and Tk100 per kilogram.
Traders said that before Eid, good-quality Himsagar mangoes were selling for Tk120–130 per kilogram in retail markets. The price has now dropped to around Tk100 or less.
A visit to markets in Halishahar, Pahartali, Bahaddarhat, Chawkbazar and Reazuddin Bazar found that almost all popular mango varieties are available at the same time. Good-quality mangoes are now selling for Tk70–80 per kilogram in many places, compared with Tk100–150 in previous years.
Sahab Uddin, owner of Allahar Doya Store at Folmondi, said the hot weather caused most mango varieties to ripen at the same time. He said, “Because of the heat, almost all varieties ripened together. That is why all kinds of mangoes are available in the market now.”
Mohammad Sumon, owner of Sayem and Saifa Enterprise, said Amrapali and Haribhanga mangoes are arriving in large quantities. He said, “Amrapali is selling at Tk40–45 per kilogram in the wholesale market, while Haribhanga is selling at Tk50–55. Last year, these mangoes were sold at Tk60–70 per kilogram.”
Traders said mangoes cannot be stored for long. To avoid spoilage, many sellers are selling quickly at lower profit margins, which is also helping reduce prices.
Consumers are happy with the lower prices. Monirul Islam, a private company employee buying mangoes in Halishahar, said the price drop has made mangoes more affordable.
He said, “Earlier, I could buy only one kilogram of mangoes with a certain amount of money. Now I can buy almost two kilograms for the same amount. My family can enjoy more mangoes this season.”
Mohammad Ali Hossain, president of the Chattogram Fruit Traders Association, said the peak mango season is just beginning. “Supply will increase further in the next one to two weeks. More varieties, including Fazli,
Haribhanga and Ashwina, will arrive in the market. If supply continues to grow, prices will fall further and mangoes will become more affordable for everyone,” he said.
Traders expect mango prices to remain stable or fall further in the coming weeks as supplies continue to increase across Chattogram.
