Fazli will remain dear

Mangoes have started pouring in in Rajshahi city markets but prices are not yet within the reach of commonman. PHOTO: STAR

According to horticulturists and traders, mangoes have started appearing a bit early this year as their production except that of 'king size' Fazli was by and large good this year in Rajshahi and Chapaina-wabganj districts compared to last year's.

But output of Fazli would be about 70 per cent less this year in Chapainawabganj and 55 per cent in Rajshahi and other districts due to adverse weather for this fruit, they said.

Gopalbhog, one of the good varieties, is now selling at between Tk 1200 and Tk 1400 per maund. Still it is days away when maddening flavour of ripe mangoes will be in the air in Rajshahi, famous for mango trading.

Traders said, prices will fall when the supply will increase in a week.

But prices of Fazli will remain higher this year due to less output, they said.

"It is an exception this year. I never saw so low output of Fazli in 30 years. Fazli used to grow in plenty even in off- years", 65 year-old fruit seller Rahmatullah from Natore said.

Experts at Chapainawabganj Mango Eesearch Centre told this correspondent that mango output increases in alternate years. This year is an 'on-year', they said.

Output of all varieties like Langra, Kirsapat, Gopalbhog, Mohonbhog and Ranipasand is good this year.

"We are surprised at the unusual low production of Fazli. It may be due to prolonged cold during the fruiting period", said Shafiqul Islam, Senior Scientific Officer at Rajshahi Fruit Research Institute.

Besides, at least 15 per cent Fazli mangoes were damaged by storms, he said.

Agriculture Extension Department sources said, on an average, around 2.15 lakh metric tons of different varieties of mangoe grow in about 27,000 orchards on 1.06 lakh acres of land across the country.

More than half of it comes from Rajshahi region where nearly Tk 100 crore mangoes are traded in a year.