Unseasonal pineapple boom leaves Rangamati’s farmers struggling to sell

Farmers in Bangladesh’s Rangamati district, particularly in Naniarchar upazila, are facing a unique crisis. Despite an abundant harvest of their renowned 'Honey Queen' pineapples, an oversaturated market has left them struggling to sell their produce. This unexpected challenge has turned what should have been a profitable season into a period of distress.

Early harvest brings unintended consequences

To accelerate production and meet market demand year-round, farmers used growth hormones to induce early ripening. As a result, ripe Honey Queen pineapples hit the market months ahead of schedule. Traditionally, these sweet fruits are harvested in May or June, but this season, farmers began picking them as early as January.

“The idea was to increase our earnings by harvesting early, but the market wasn’t ready, and now we’re left with more pineapples than we can sell,” said a farmer from Naniarchar.

Cold weather dampens market demand

One of the key issues affecting the market is the unseasonably cold weather, which has impacted the quality and taste of the pineapples. Although the fruits appear large and healthy, they lack their usual sweetness, making them less appealing to consumers.

“The pineapples ripened too early in the cold weather. They don’t have the same sweetness, and buyers aren’t as enthusiastic,” explained a farmer from Baghaichhari.

Traders in the region share similar concerns. The lack of demand has forced them to buy pineapples at lower prices, leading to losses for both farmers and sellers.

Calls for cold storage solutions

The crisis has highlighted a recurring issue for Rangamati's pineapple farmers: the absence of cold storage facilities. Without proper preservation methods, they must sell their harvest immediately, even when market conditions are unfavorable.

“With cold storage, we could control supply and stabilize prices throughout the season,” said a frustrated farmer. The agriculture department estimates that around 7,000 tonnes of Honey Queen pineapples have been produced this year, yet the lack of storage threatens much of this yield.

Hope for a better season ahead

Despite the current challenges, local agricultural officials remain optimistic. Nasim Haider, Deputy Director of the Rangamati District Department of Agricultural Extension, acknowledged the difficulties but suggested that improving weather conditions could help boost the quality and demand for pineapples in the coming months.

As farmers in the picturesque hills of Rangamati continue to nurture their golden crops, they hope for long-term solutions to secure their livelihoods. Until then, the bounty of Honey Queen pineapples remains a bittersweet success story in the heart of Bangladesh’s hill tracts.

source: unb.com.bd

photo: daily-sun.com