Fruit, vegetable exports to EU slowing down

The export of fresh fruits and vegetables to European Union (EU) countries is showing a much lower growth compared to the one achieved elsewhere in the world over the last few years. The wheel of export of fresh fruits and vegetables has slowed down in the EU market mostly as the country's quarantine system fails to meet the standards set forth by the authorities at the export end, said officials at Bangladesh Hortex Foundation. According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), 31.24 per cent of the country's total export earnings from fresh fruits and vegetables came from the EU countries in the fiscal 2012-2013, whereas the EU market contributed to more than 50 per cent of the export earnings in fiscal 2007-2008. The falling trend in the value of export of fruits and vegetables also prevailed over the first six months of the current fiscal -- from July to December last year, according to a news agency.