Bandarban growers selling off green mangoes

Faced with intense heatwaves, pest infestations, and irrigation shortages, mango growers in Bandarban are increasingly worried about poor yields this season. To minimize costs and maximize profits, many orchard owners are selling their green mangoes to wholesale buyers.

A field visit revealed that traders are buying green mangoes directly from hill farmers at prices ranging from Tk 650 to Tk 700 per maund (approximately 37 kg). On Thursday (April 27) and Friday (April 28), over 50 trucks loaded with green mangoes left Bandarban for Chattogram and Dhaka. According to traders, these mangoes are primarily intended for pickle production.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), cultivation of high-yielding mango varieties such as Rangai and Amrapali has increased across all seven upazilas of the district this season. However, the extreme heat, drought, and lack of rainfall have adversely affected production. Despite these challenges, areas like Limeipara, Saronpara, Farukpara, Gejmanipara, Basantapara, Mrolongpara, Menratpara, WAI Junctionpara, Chimbuk, and the hills along the Ruma-Thanchi road have seen relatively better mango production.

This year, mangoes have been cultivated on 10,200 hectares of land—94 hectares more than last year. The target yield is set at 11–12 metric tons per hectare.

In 2024, mangoes were cultivated on 10,106 hectares, producing 130,000 metric tons. In 2023, 113,077 metric tons were harvested from 10,006 hectares, and in 2022, 111,207 metric tons were produced from 9,809 hectares.

John Bom and Menrat Mro, mango growers from the Chimbuk road area, said, “Due to the extreme heat and water shortages, even the green mangoes are falling off the trees. Spraying pesticides and water isn’t helping. We’re being forced to sell these mangoes to wholesalers at Tk 18–25 per kg. The fallen mangoes are going for only Tk 10–12 per kg.”

Reyangri Mro from Dalianpara and Santhwan from Wai Junctionpara on the Ruma road noted that pest attacks continued even after pesticide application. The fruit-boring insects are damaging the appearance of the mangoes, piercing them with stingers. The stems are drying up and shriveling due to the scorching heat and drought, causing mangoes to fall prematurely. While those who can afford proper irrigation and pesticide management are seeing decent yields, most small farmers are left helpless.

Mango traders Sanjay Chakraborty and Md. Siraj said they buy Rangai and Amrapali mangoes at Tk 650–700 per maund and sell them to wholesalers in the fruit markets of Chattogram and Dhaka. “However, prices fluctuate daily depending on the growers,” they added.

SM Shahnewaz, Deputy Director of the District Agricultural Extension Department, said that despite the rise in mango cultivation, the heatwaves, drought, and lack of rain have severely impacted production due to water and irrigation shortages.

“The heat is causing mango blossoms and young fruit to drop, and mangoes are visibly smaller in size this year. To cut losses, growers are selling raw mangoes early, which is disrupting proper production,” he added.