Hill-grown lotkon boosts seasonal trade in Rangamati

KAPTAI, RANGAMATI, July 10: Naturally grown sweet-and-sour lotkon harvested from the hills of Rangamati is making its way to markets in Dhaka and Chattogram, where strong demand for the seasonal fruit is helping traders earn handsome profits.

The tropical fruit, known for its distinctive sweet-and-tart flavour and nutritional value, is widely available during May and June. Locally, it is known as lotka, natkona or ashkon.

The fruit grows naturally in the forests of Rangamati, particularly in Kaptai, and is not cultivated commercially, according to local agriculture officials.

Each fruit measures around 3-5 centimetres in diameter and contains juicy pulp surrounding two to four large brown seeds. It is rich in vitamins, minerals and protein and is valued for stimulating appetite.

Seasonal traders Jamal Uddin and Hasnat said they collect the fruit from the hill areas, purchasing each sack for Tk 800 to Tk 1,000.

The sacks are then transported to Dhaka and Chattogram, where they are sold for Tk 1,500 to Tk 2,000 each. At the retail level, the fruit fetches Tk 150-200 per kilogram in the two cities, they said.

Another trader, Shafi, said he had earned around Tk 1 lakh from selling lotkon this season.
Kaptai Upazila Agriculture Officer Ahsan Habib said lotkon is not cultivated commercially in the upazila and grows naturally in forests.

"Although it is not commercially farmed, the fruit enjoys good demand both locally and in other parts of the country because of its nutritional value," he said.