Export of green veg to ME halted

Our Correspondent
CHATTOGRAM, Mar 03: The export of vegetables from Bangladesh, particularly Chattogram, to the countries of the Middle East has been stopped suddenly due to suspension of flights triggered by the escalating Iran-Israel-US conflict.
Exporters and shipping agents warn that prolonged instability could soon disrupt garment shipments and push up global trade costs.
They said the sudden suspension of Middle East-bound flights has already caused financial losses, with perishable goods rotting at airports and new shipments put on hold amid uncertainty over air cargo operations.
Chattogram-based exporter Green World Impact transported nearly 1 MT of green vegetables to Shah Amanat International Airport for shipment to Dubai, one of Bangladesh's key export destinations for agricultural produce, on Saturday. However, airlines suspended most flights to Middle Eastern countries following regional airspace closures, leaving the consignment stranded. The vegetables eventually spoiled, causing losses of around $1,200.
Owner of Green World Impact Mohammad Mahbub Rana said, "Every day, green vegetables and fruits worth around USD 250,000 are exported by air from Chattogram. After cancellations of flights, almost all prepared vegetables went to waste."
Public Relations Manager of Shah Amanat International Airport, Chattogram Ibrahim Khalil said a total of 27 flights to and from Middle Eastern destinations have been cancelled over the past three days.
He said, "On the first day, vegetables and fruits brought for export perished due to sudden cancellations. After that, we began informing exporters in advance about flight suspensions. As a result, no additional shipments were damaged in the last two days."
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