At the end of summer and the start of the monsoon, local jamun (black plum) is appearing in markets across the country, and the juicy fruit is now plentiful. Many people are turning to local jamun for its taste, nutritional value and comparatively low price.

On Monday 8 June, crowds of buyers were seen at fruit stalls in front of Government Hossain Shahid Suhrawardy College in Magura from morning to evening.

A tour of the town and markets showed jamun selling at different prices depending on size and quality. Sellers say that with a good harvest this year, supply is plentiful and buyers can easily get what they want.

Buyer Aziz Sheikh said jamun is one of his family's favourite summer fruits. "It tastes good and everyone in the family likes it, so whenever I come to the market I take some home. I have heard it is good for health as well as tasty, so I try to eat it regularly in the season," he said.

Several parents said they buy jamun to encourage their children to eat fruit, and children like jamun for its colour and taste.

Sajjadul Islam, a jamun seller from South Mirzapur, said: "I buy trees in the area and sell the jamun in town. Sales are good every day, especially in the afternoon when more buyers come. Many buy large amounts for their families. I am selling jamun at Tk 200 and Tk 150 a kg."

Another seller, Jilil Uddin of Ichhakhada, said there is always demand for local jamun and good-quality fruit sells out quickly. "But buying from the villages and selling here leaves only a small profit. Still, we get by," he said.

With its taste, nutrition and easy availability, local jamun is now one of the most popular fruits in the market, and with good supply buyers are purchasing it with ease.

According to doctors, eating jamun in moderation can be good for the body, and those involved expect demand for local jamun to grow further through the season. Among its benefits, it helps boost immunity, improves digestion and helps reduce the effect of harmful free radicals.

Gynaecologist Onna Shakhari said jamun is a nutrient-rich fruit that can be eaten as part of a regular balanced diet. It may help control blood sugar, helps keep skin healthy and helps keep the body fresh and lively. However, people with diabetes or other particular health problems should follow a doctor's advice on diet, she said.

She added that jamun can be kept in the diet as a seasonal fruit but, like any fruit, should be eaten in moderation. Washing it well before eating reduces health risks.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.