Jhalakathi’s Floating Guava Market Attracts Massive Crowds, Including Foreign Tourists

The floating guava market in Bhimruli, located in Jhalakathi, has become a major seasonal attraction, drawing visitors from across Bangladesh and beyond. Uniquely situated not on land but within rows of boats anchored in narrow canal waterways, this market represents one of the most iconic images of southern Bangladesh’s agricultural and cultural vibrancy.

The Market: A Living Waterborne Tradition

Unlike conventional land-based markets, the Bhimruli floating guava market thrives on the waters of a tidal canal, where boats function both as shops and transport.

Thousands of buyers, sellers, and curious tourists—including foreign dignitaries—flock to this floating marketplace during guava season. The scene offers a rich tapestry of colour, commerce, and culture.

The Journey and Garden Experience

Visitors often arrive by trawler or small boat, gliding past dense guava orchards on either side of narrow canals—locally called Kandi. These canals, described by former Kirtipasha Union Parishad Chairman Bhabendranath Haldar, allow tidal water to flow freely, preventing waterlogging and supporting year-round cultivation.

In addition to guava, the orchards also yield:

• Amra (hog plum)
• Lemons and limes
• Bananas and mangoes
• Seasonal (Rabi) crops
• Papaya and other tropical produce

Female and male farmers alike row their produce to the market, often braving heavy rainfall or scorching sun, waiting patiently in their boats for buyers. The sight of banana-leaf crates being filled with fresh guavas and loaded onto trawlers adds a rustic charm to the daily trade.

Guava Cultivation Overview

Guava has been grown in this area for over 200 years, with generations of farmers continuing the tradition on inherited lands

Villages Involved in Guava Farming

Tourist Insights & Reactions

• Shahriar Rayan, a tourist from Barishal, likened the Bhimruli floating market to those in China and Vietnam, praising its serene green surroundings and the family-friendly boat experience.
• Fatima Tuz Johra, a student of Barishal University, described her visit as “very interesting” and expressed her intention to return every year.
• An elderly visitor voiced concern over the lack of quality accommodation and food facilities, noting these as essential improvements for boosting tourism further.

Local and International Interest

Local UP Chairman Abdur Rahim remarked that although the market has existed for decades, it has become particularly bustling over the past 30 years.

Foreign Visitors Include:

Additionally, ministers, MPs, and senior bureaucrats frequently visit the floating market and surrounding orchards.

Challenges Faced by Farmers

Local businessman Shubhrajit Haldar pointed out that farmers are not receiving fair prices this year. Reasons include:

• Short shelf-life of guava
• Lack of cold storage
• Market glut during peak season

Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Farhana Yassin highlighted plans to develop value-added products like guava jam and jelly in collaboration with the farmers.

Government Development Initiatives

Jhalakathi Deputy Commissioner Ashrafur Rahman affirmed ongoing plans to enhance tourism infrastructure and maintain cultural integrity.

This vibrant market is not only a centre of agricultural commerce but also a shining example of how tradition, tourism, and development can co-exist. With more coordinated support, Bhimruli’s floating guava market could become a premier eco-tourism destination in South Asia.