Mango exports jump as quality improves

Bangladesh's export earnings from mango have jumped this year as local growers are supplying an improved quality of the popular fruit through both private and public initiatives.

About 1,757 tonnes of mango were exported by air in 2022 while 600 tonnes of the fruit have been shipped so far this year, according to data from the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE).

The DAE officially inaugurated mango exports for the current season on May 25.

"Till now, mango exports have been mostly limited to our ethnic markets living abroad. But this year, we have been able to export to the mainstream market," said Mohammad Arifur Rahman, director of the DAE's Exportable Mango Production project.

"We have already exported 450 kilogrammes of the fruit," he said, adding that the shipment was made to a supermarket chain in Switzerland.

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There are currently 66 registered mango exporters that ship the fruit to about 28 countries, mainly the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and Italy.

The season for mango export begins in May and ends in September.

There are currently 66 registered mango exporters that ship the fruit to about 28 countries, mainly the UK, Saudi Arabia and Italy

"Our exports start with shipments of Gopal Bhog and other mango varieties, namely Himsagar, Langra and Amrapali," Rahman said.

"We are getting a very good response. We expect to achieve an export target of 4,000 tonnes this year," he added.

Under the project, the DAE aims to train 8,400 farmers on mango production technology, namely good agricultural practices, in major mango producing areas such as Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, Sathkhira, Chuadanga, Meherpur and hill-tract districts.

This year, the DAE is working with 990 mango growers, he said.

Md Rezaul Karim, director of the Plant Quarantine Wing of the DAE, which issues plant health certificates for exports, said 600 tonnes have been exported to different countries so far while shipments will continue well into August.

There is a lot of demand for the summer fruit among consumers in European and Middle Eastern countries, said Md Monjurul Islam, adviser of the Bangladesh Fruits, Vegetables and Allied Products Exporters Association.

"As such, there is a possibility of crossing the amount of mango exported last year," he added.

Kawser Ahmed Rubel, chief executive officer of Global Trade Link, an exporting company, said they shipped mango to only London last season.

But this time around, they have sent the fruit to London as well as Germany and Switzerland.

"So far, we have exported 20 tonnes of mango. The target is to export 100 tonnes this season," he added.

Rubel also said that earlier, there were many communication gaps between foreign buyers and local suppliers, but the situation has improved a lot over the years.

"Mango exports have increased compared to last season. One of the reasons for this is that the process of obtaining a phytosanitary certificate for export has been simplified," he added.

There was a jump in exports at the beginning of the season compared to the same time last year as many new entrepreneurs and exporters have joined the business, according to Manzurul Hannan, managing director of Hortex Foundation.

"This is very encouraging," he said.

Hortex is a government-sponsored agency working to facilitate the export of fresh produce.

Hannan said mango exports have increased as a result of the overall public-private initiatives, with the government having taken up an exportable mango production scheme.

"Besides, we have developed international standard packaging, and this is also helping the entrepreneurs a lot," he added.

Hannan also said that some farmers are growing export-quality mangoes while the entry of new exporters in the segment has also boosted shipments for the past few years.

Bangladesh ranks ninth in mango production in the world, according to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation.

The global mango market size reached a value of nearly $57.33 billion in 2021, having grown at a compound annual growth rate of 6.4 per cent since 2016. The market is expected to grow from $57.33 billion in 2021 to $77.94 billion in 2026 at a rate of 6.3 per cent, according to the Business Research Company.