Jackfruit trade in full swing as demand surges

It is the peak harvesting season for jackfruit in Bangladesh. As such, Brahmanbazar, a wholesale market in Kulaura upazila of Moulvibazar, is abuzz with the presence of farmers and traders looking to profit off the tropical fruit.

Not only is the market the largest wholesale hub for jackfruit in the entire region, locals believe it to be nearly 200 years old.

For people like Koisor Ahmed, a wholesaler who has been sending jackfruit to Sylhet and Sunamganj for about 30 years, it is a good time for business as demand for the fruit has surged.

He buys jackfruit from farmers in Moulvibazar for between Tk 100 and Tk 250 depending on size before sending them to buyers in other districts.

Similarly, Sajidur Rahman is also engaged in the trade.

"Small hilly jackfruits are regularly bought by wholesalers from different parts of the country, including Sherpur, Sylhet, Brahmanbaria, Sunamganj and Cumilla," he said while trading at the weekly bazaar last Monday.

When this correspondent visited Brahmanbazar, it was found that numerous small and big jackfruits were arranged in rows before the exceedingly high number of buyers.

"Sometimes traders come directly to buy but most send their employers. Here, farmers from different places, including hilly areas, bring their jackfruit. About 400 to 500 farmers come to the market every bazar day," Rahman added.

While traders and growers in the region are serving the demand among consumers in the region, the tropical fruit is trading in other parts of the country, including Dhaka and other major cities, thanks to its popularity.

However, there are varying production estimates by two government agencies -- the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).

The DAE estimates that Bangladesh grew nearly 19 lakh tonnes of jackfruit in fiscal year 2021-22 and most of the fruit was consumed locally with exports being insignificant.

The nutritious fruit is grown in almost every region of the country, but Dhaka produces the highest amount followed by Chattogram, according to DAE data.

Traders at Brahmanbazar say the market brings opportunities to change the fortunes of many buyers, sellers and farmers every year.

Ramiz Mia, a farmer of Amuli village in Kulaura upazila, told this correspondent that he sold 600 small size hilly jackfruit for a total of Tk 8,000 and now only needs to worry about paying the rent for his spot in the market.

Sajjad Mia, a jackfruit grower in the Kamalganj hilly area, said they get the highest price for jackfruit during this season. Besides, jackfruit cultivation is a low-cost initiative as the trees do not need artificial irrigation, application of insecticides, fungicides, dung or fertilisers.

Dr Nurul Haque, civil surgeon of Habiganj, said jackfruit is rich in vitamins A and C while its seeds contain carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

"Apart from the fruit, jackfruit seeds are a very tasty food," he added.

Md Golam Ferdous Chowdhury, senior scientific officer of the Post-Harvest Technology Division of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), said Bangladesh is one of the top countries in jackfruit production.

About 37 lakhs tonnes of jackfruit are produced across the globe each year with most of the fruit being grown in India (18 lakhs tonnes) while Bangladesh (10 lakhs tonnes) is the second largest producer.

Jackfruit is popular in the country and in an effort to properly utilise its demand, BARI has so far developed three varieties of the fruit -- Bari Kathal-1, Bari Kathal-2, and Bari Kathal-3 -- that provide yields within 12 months, he added.

Until June 15 of the current fiscal year, Bangladesh exported 469 tonnes of jackfruit and shipments are expected to grow in the coming days, said Md Rezaul Karim, director of the Plant Quarantine Wing under the DAE.

Last year, total exports of the fruit amounted to 1,300 tonnes, he added.