US ambassador impressed by Jhalakathi’s iconic floating guava market

US Ambassador to Dhaka Brent T. Christensen visited the iconic floating guava market in Bhimruli of Jhalakathi, on Sunday (August 9), exploring the traditional market and surrounding guava orchards that have long been a distinctive part of the region’s agricultural economy and tourism.

Accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Deanne Dao, Christensen arrived in Bhimruli at around 9:00am and toured the floating market, where fresh guavas were displayed on rows of small wooden boats along the canal.

He also visited nearby orchards and spoke with local guava growers and orchard owners about cultivation, yields and the marketing of their produce.

During the visits, the ambassador said he was impressed by the area’s natural beauty and the centuries-old tradition of the floating market. He also praised the farmers’ hard work, the lively trading activity and the quality of the locally produced guavas.

During conversations with local growers, Christensen noted that guavas are also cultivated on a limited scale in parts of the United States with warm, tropical or subtropical climates, including Florida, Hawaii and California.

He said Bangladesh had significant potential to export guavas to the United States and other international markets and indicated that he would discuss the issue with his government and relevant ministries.

The Bhimruli floating market is part of a vast guava-growing belt stretching across parts of Jhalakathi, Barishal and Pirojpur. The region is regarded as one of Asia’s major guava-producing areas, with the floating market becoming particularly vibrant between July and September, when the harvest peaks.

The market, where farmers transport and sell their produce directly from boats, has also emerged as a popular destination for domestic and foreign tourists seeking to experience the distinctive agricultural landscape of southern Bangladesh.

Local orchard owners welcomed the ambassador’s visit, saying international attention could help promote Bhimruli’s guavas abroad and potentially open new opportunities for exports.