Market woes dampen bumper pineapple harvest in Rangamati

This year’s early harvest, driven by the use of growth hormones, has caused pineapples to ripen much earlier than usual, flooding the market with fruit well before its typical peak season in May or June. Farmers began harvesting as early as January, but the rapid ripening has left them with no buyers.

A Harvest Turned Sour

Rangamati is home to two key pineapple varieties: the hardy Giant Q and the highly sought-after Honey Queen. The latter, grown extensively in Naniarchar, Longadu, Baghaichhari, and Barkal, is known for its sweetness and tender texture. Yet, the early ripening this season has caused significant distress.

Khamaari Dhala Chan Chhakma, a farmer from Baghaichhari, expressed his frustration: “We thought this would bring prosperity, but instead, our fruits are rotting in the orchards with no buyers.” Abdul Karim, another farmer from Naniarchar, shared similar concerns. Despite the size and sweetness of the pineapples, the cold weather has reduced their flavor, leading to plummeting market demand.

A Market in Decline

Pineapples are typically transported by engine boats to key trading hubs like Sumataghath, Tablachhari, and the Municipal Truck Terminal, where wholesalers purchase them. This year, however, traders are hesitant to buy. Kalam, a local trader, explained, “We have no choice but to buy at a lower price directly from the farms. The market isn’t supporting us.”

Traders blame the unusually cold weather, which has dulled the pineapples' natural sweetness, making them less appealing to customers.

Nasim Haider, Deputy Director of the Rangamati District Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), acknowledged the issue. He explained, "The hormone treatment was meant to meet market demand, but the cold temperatures have affected the pineapples' quality."

However, Haider remains hopeful, suggesting that rising temperatures will improve both the quality and prices of the fruit.

A Cry for Cold Storage

This year, 1,240 hectares of land in Naniarchar were dedicated to growing Honey Queen pineapples, with an expected yield of 7,000 tonnes. While the agriculture department hopes the final yield will exceed expectations, the ongoing issues of oversupply and price crashes have reignited calls for a cold storage facility in Rangamati.

Farmers have long advocated for cold storage to prevent their perishable produce from being affected by market volatility. One farmer said, “With cold storage, we wouldn’t have to watch our harvest rot. It would help us control supply and stabilize prices.”

As Rangamati’s hills continue to bear a bountiful crop, farmers are left waiting for a solution that will allow them to truly reap the rewards of their labor. Until then, the Honey Queen pineapples remain a bittersweet harvest.