Toxic Indian mangoes flood market

Mango growers and traders in the biggest hubs Chapainawabganj (Chapai) and Rajshahi are in trouble as Indian mangoes have flooded the market on the eve of harvesting season.
The country produces nearly 1.0 million tonnes of mango annually of which Rajshahi and Chapai contribute 45 per cent, according to the Horticulture Division of Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE). The Rajshahi agricultural region is famous for Fajli, Langra, Gopalbhog, Mohanbhog, Khirshapati, Himsagar, Ashwina, etc.  
Md Yosuf Ali, a gardener-cum-trader at Bholahat upazila in Chapai told the FE that hot weather in April and Kalbaishakhi (nor'wester) in May caused severe damage to crops this year.
"We are being sandwiched between reduction in output and frequent import from India in harvesting season" he pointed out.
"Traders and their agents from Bogra, Rangpur,  Dhaka, Chittagonga, Sylhet start to gather at Kansat and Bholahat upazilas from the end of April but this year the buyers are few," he said.
He said Indian mango have flooded the city markets which has created a fear among the growers.
"If the import continues for a couple of weeks, we will face disaster," he said.
He said he sold 50 maunds of Gopalbhog at Tk2000-2050 per maund (40 kg) in third week of May last year.
"Uncontrolled import will hit us and small traders this year," he said.
Office-in-charge at regional Horticulture Research Centre under Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) at Chapai Dr Shafiqul Islam told the FE that prolonged drought, lack of rain coupled with Kalbaishakhi and hailstorm have caused severe damage to fruits.
The production may be reduced by 30 per cent this year, he said.
He said early variety of Gopalbhog will enter the market in next three-four days while Langra will come in the second week of June and world famous Fajli in the last week of June.
He said mango production may fall by 3 to 3.25 million tonnes in the two districts.
According to the sources at Benapole (Jessore) and Hilli (Dinajpur) a huge quantity of Indian mango is entering the country through legal and illegal channels.
During the visit to some fruit stalls in the capital city it was found that Gopalbhog was selling at Tk120-140 and Himshagar at Tk100-120 per kg.
"The imported Mangoes are very much toxic, mixed with carbide and formalin which can cause serious health hazards," Md Abdul Wahed, founder president of Chapainawabganj Mango Growers Merchants' Association said.
He said the imported mangos are immature and ripened artificially.
"Relevant authorities should conduct drives against toxic fruits to save the consumers," he said.
He said the EU ban on Indian mango import is forcing Indian traders to seek new markets and they have started sending mangoes to Bangladesh.
"But the imported mangoes will be out of market when local variety will be available as local consumers' first choice is the mango of Chapai-Rajshahi," he said.
Mr Wahed, also director of FBCCI, said Bangladeshi mangoes have great demand in the globe.
Government should help private entrepreneurs export Bangladeshi Fajli, Langra, Gopalbhog, Himsagar varieties to EU and the US, he added.
"A modern mango processing zone should be set up in Chapai to boost mango and mango products' export," he said.