Md Ibrahim of Magura, who discovered dragon fruit farming through Facebook and YouTube videos during the Covid lockdown, now has a profitable 75-decimal orchard that is inspiring local young people.
High prices for imported fruit in Cumilla are pushing buyers towards cheaper local fruit, although local prices have also risen by Tk 10-50 a kg in a week.
Fig, known as tin or dumur, is emerging as an exotic fruit with commercial potential in Bangladesh, growing in fields and rooftop tubs year-round.
Palm fruit, guava, hog plum, star fruit and monkey jack bring the flavours of Sharat, and planting and protecting native fruit trees is urgent, writes Niamur Rashid Shihab.
Pomelo, rich in vitamins and antioxidants, can boost immunity and keep skin fresh, and it makes a quick tangy snack in two simple spiced versions.
Although the mango season is nearly over, Dhaka markets still sell several varieties at Tk 120 to 200 a kg, and local fruits are in strong demand.
Horticulture is now worth about $1.4 trillion a year, yet only half of countries grow enough fruit and vegetables to meet the FAO/WHO target of 400g a person a day.
Bangladesh's stall at the 2026 Mekong-Lancang Fruit, Coffee, Flower and Beer Carnival in Kunming, China, has drawn strong interest from local visitors and traders.
Bangladesh is taking part as co-organiser for the second time in the Mekong-Lancang Fruits Festival 2026 in Kunming, where Bangladeshi firms will present fruit and farm products to Chinese and international buyers.
Steep prices for imported fruit are driving shoppers in Khulna to cheaper local fruit such as papaya, banana, watermelon, local malta, dragon fruit, pineapple and sugarcane.
Mizanur Rahman, a driver from Choto Koldhari village in Magura's Mohammadpur, has built three mixed fruit orchards on two and a half bighas since 2021.
As the mango season draws to a close, supplies in Dhaka's fruit markets have dwindled and prices of the remaining varieties have risen several-fold in a few weeks.
Watermelon was grown in ancient Egypt some 4,000 years ago, and centuries of cultivation and selection turned a pale, watery fruit from Africa into today's sweet red melon and even Japan's square watermelons.
