Despite being a small country in South Asia, Bangladesh became the 16th largest consumer market in the world in 2021 due to its vast population of 165 million people. To meet the demand of this large number of consumers, there are thousands of traditional markets around Bangladesh, which we call “Bazar”.
Bazars are everywhere in Bangladesh, whether in urban or rural areas. Village markets have more traditional vibe. In bazars, daily commodities such as vegetables, fish, meat, fruits, spices, grocery items, etc. are sold.
Seller weighs garlic in a polythene bag with a balance scale in front of three customers at Nagarbathan Bazar, Jhenaidah, Bangladesh. Photo: @SadmanRafid , February 2023
Typically, bazars sit every day, and they are mostly permanent. But there are other kinds of markets that sit once or twice a week, we call them “Haat”. During “Haat days”, special types of commodities are available for purchase in the market, such as clothing, cattle and birds, sweetmeats, etc.
Different kinds of sweetmeats are on display**for sale on Haat Day at Erenda Bazar, Narail, Bangladesh. Photo: @SadmanRafid , February 2022
The most crowded part of a bazar is the “Machher Bazar” or the fish market. Fish is the favorite food dish of Bangladeshis. As Bangladesh lies in the Ganges delta, freshwater fish are abundant in different varieties in hundreds of rivers across the country. in fact, Bangladesh ranks third in freshwater fish production in the world.
Hilsha fish, the national fish of Bangladesh, is placed on ice, and displayed for sale in Rupsha Sondha Bazar, Khulna, Bangladesh. Photo: @SadmanRafid , September 2020
Not all bazars sell the daily commodities. There are some bazars that sell unique products, such as flowers. These types of markets are found in places where flowers are cultivated on a large scale. These markets are major tourist attractions in Bangladesh.
Flowers on display in a shop at Panisara flower market, Godkhali, Jashore, Bangladesh. Photo: @SadmanRafid , January 2021
Just like the flower market, the floating markets of Bangladesh also attract a lot of tourists. In southern Bangladesh, people living in the delta region rely on waterways for transportation, due to which, floating markets have become a convenient solution for transporting goods to the traders.
Farmers wait in the rain with their guava-loaded boats for traders in Adamkathi Floating Market, Swarupkathi, Pirojpur, Bangladesh. Photo: @SadmanRafid , August 2019
Both flower markets and floating markets are dependent on the seasons. Flower markets can be seen in their full glory in the winter season, whereas the best time to visit the floating markets is the monsoon season.
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