Exotic fruit trees drive 54 percent surge in sales at Khulna tree fair
Photo Collected
KHULNA — A vibrant market for exotic and rare fruit trees has emerged as the centerpiece of this year’s tree fair in Khulna, where high-value saplings are drawing significant attention and driving record-breaking sales. Organizers report that the event has already surpassed last year’s total revenue, with sales reaching nearly 9.6 million taka.
The fair, hosted by the Khulna District Administration and the Sundarbans West Forest Division at the Khulna Circuit House grounds, began on June 11 and is scheduled to continue through August 11. By Friday night, total sales reached 67,102 saplings, valued at 9,592,000 taka. This marks a 54 percent increase in volume compared to the previous year’s total sales of 43,721 saplings.
Consumer interest is notably skewed toward fruit-bearing varieties, which dominated sales with 18,873 units sold. Other categories included 17,635 ornamental plants, 16,653 flowering plants, 5,713 timber trees, 3,376 medicinal plants, and 4,852 miscellaneous species.
The exhibition features an array of exotic flora, including persimmon, rambutan, avocado, olive, Korean berry, mamey sapote, achacha, Belgian litchi, Vietnamese red and pink jackfruit, durian, Thai longan, coffee, Hariman-99 apples, Thai pomelo, and various pear species. Prices for mature, fruit-bearing specimens reflect their rarity; for instance, mamey sapote trees are being offered at 30,000 taka, while fruiting persimmon and rambutan trees are priced at 25,000 taka.
Mohammad Akbar bin Osmani, a proprietor at Karim Nursery, noted a strong trend in consumer curiosity regarding foreign species. His stall has already moved over 2,300 plants. While high-end collectors pursue rare imports, other vendors, such as Mohammad Wahidul Islam of Malancha Pushpakendra Nursery, noted that smaller, more affordable plants remain a staple for casual shoppers.
Beyond commercial activity, the fair serves an educational purpose. The Mangrove Nursery of the Bangladesh Forest Research Institute has set up a display introducing visitors to the biodiversity of the Sundarbans. The exhibit features saplings of native species such as Sundari, Bhathkati, and Pashur, complete with scientific nomenclature.
The display also includes formalin-preserved specimens of Sundarbans wildlife and vegetation, ranging from various mangrove fruits to samples of fish, snakes, crustaceans, and a tiger skull. Visitors, including student Anika Tasnim Subha, praised the exhibit for providing a rare, tangible insight into the protected ecosystem of the world’s largest mangrove forest.
0%
0%
0%
0%
