Gourinathpur Bazar in Mahespur upazila, Jhenaidah. Just five years ago, it was only a small local market. Centered around dragon fruit trade, the bazar has now become something like the country’s dragon fruit capital. More than a hundred wholesale depots have grown up around the trade in this fruit, supplying delicious dragon fruit to different parts of the country. Daily sales at the market average Tk 10 million to Tk 15 million. The rise of these depots has created jobs for several thousand people.
Foreign dragon fruit cultivation has expanded widely across the district, and demand for the fruit is growing steadily in various parts of the country, according to reports. On-site accounts show farmers bring their produce to Gourinathpur Bazar from morning until evening every day. Trading takes place at the depots, where bright red dragon fruit is displayed under the sheds. The same scene plays out across the market almost every day, with haggling over prices continuing throughout the day.
Local farmer Shariful Islam said: “I cultivate dragon fruit on five bighas of land. I can easily sell the fruit at this market right after harvesting it from my land, which has reduced transport costs and the risk of the fruit spoiling. I bring the fruit to the market by battery-run van, bicycle, or in sacks and sell it here.”
An accountant at one of the depots, Jakir Hossain, said: “The growth of this market has created employment opportunities for many people. Alongside my studies, I work at a depot and earn Tk 15,000-18,000 a month. Separate workers also handle grading and packaging the fruit at the depots. On average, everyone can earn Tk 12,000-15,000 a month.”
Wholesale fruit trader Abdus Samad, who comes from Natore, said: “Many people like me come here to buy fruit. The business environment and security are satisfactory. Dragon fruit is available in various areas, but the quality at Gourinathpur Bazar is good, and the prices are affordable. I come to this market every week to buy fruit and return to Natore by train.”
Wholesale and retail depot owner Saeed Sarkar said: “Traders from other districts can easily do business here. This market sees average daily sales of Tk 10 million to Tk 15 million worth of dragon fruit. This fruit is supplied to major cities including Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet. Prices vary depending on the size and quality of the fruit.”
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report