Photo : Collected
Bangladesh holds a significant comparative advantage over many other nations in the production and export of a diverse range of fruits and vegetables, meeting the escalating global demand. The country’s highly fertile soil, favourable weather conditions, and cost-effective labour provide local producers with a substantial edge in catering to international markets. Despite the government’s recent emphasis on export-oriented agro-industries, tangible support has yet to fully materialise. While there has been a positive trend in export growth, there remains ample room for enhancement both in expanding export volumes and augmenting earnings from this sector. Achieving this requires all stakeholders to recognise the sector’s potential and implement visionary policies.
Several export-oriented agro-industries have pioneered innovative approaches in this realm. By engaging farmers in year-round production contracts with guaranteed stable prices, these initiatives have sustained high levels of motivation among farmers ensuring regular and secure earnings. Farmers undergo training to produce high-quality goods adhering to the latest health and safety standards. Furthermore, these agro-industries have adopted advanced technologies in processing and packaging, resulting in significant value addition and creating appeal for processed foods among both domestic and international consumers. These successful ventures have established an ideal value chain from cultivation to consumption aligning the interests of various stakeholders throughout the process.
New entrants from the private sector aspiring to venture into successful export-oriented agro-industries should emulate the methods of established firms while striving for innovation. By incorporating more sophisticated technologies and introducing healthy food products and packaging, they can extend their appeal beyond expatriate Bangladeshis and access a broader international market. Consumers abroad, particularly in European, Japanese, and North American countries, are keen on exploring novel food experiences and are influenced by creative packaging and marketing methods. Therefore, attention to these factors from the outset is crucial for sustained success.
Addressing the challenges related to air shipment facilities is paramount, and government intervention, particularly through the national carrier Bangladesh Biman, can play a pivotal role. Despite Biman’s current financial constraints, increasing flights or allocating cargo space for agro-product exporters could yield lucrative returns. This would be especially beneficial for perishable goods, as few foreign airlines currently transport them, and their charges are prohibitively high. Improving air shipment capacities, particularly for the rapid transport of fruits and vegetables, would not only enhance Biman’s financial position, but also create a lucrative export outlet for the country.
The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) should organise more single-country fairs abroad to introduce and popularise Bangladeshi agro-products. The commercial wings of Bangladesh’s missions abroad should undertake more robust initiatives to familiarise and popularise agro-products among foreign buyers.
Messenger/Fameema
