This year, betel nut (supari) farmers in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, are experiencing a successful harvest. Higher yields and prices have also surged, bringing financial relief to many struggling families.
Sixty-year-old Ramiz Uddin, a seasoned trader, has been selling betel nuts in Patuartek market for years. He collects them from various villages in Teknaf early in the morning and sells them at the market. “This year, betel nut sales have significantly improved my family’s financial condition. The prices are also much better compared to last year,” he shared.
Last year, one ‘pon’ (a unit of 80 betel nuts) ranged from Tk 220 to Tk 250. This year, prices have risen to Tk 280 to Tk 320 per pon, allowing traders to earn better profits.
Ramiz Uddin noted that buyers from different parts of the country flock to Teknaf to purchase betel nuts. Once bought, they transport truckloads of betel nuts to wholesale markets across Bangladesh.
The rise in demand and prices has made betel nut farming and trading a promising sector for many in Teknaf, offering financial stability to previously struggling families.
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Polash Shikdar
