Vegetable exports to Europe, Middle East fall sharply
Wednesday, 8 August 2007
Jasim Uddin Haroon
Export of vegetables to the European and Middle East markets fell sharply over the past few weeks due to the on going flood which has affected 42 districts in the country.
Bangladesh exports different kind of vegetables to Europe and Middle East where the Bangladeshi expatriates are the major consumers.
Vegetable exporters told the FE Tuesday that the export volume fell about 60 per cent during the last few weeks.
The exporters said before the flood hit the country, they used to ship around 200 tonnes each week but now the volume has reduced to 80-90 tonnes a week.
"Price rise of the items is not much of a concern. But supply has been constrained. Suppose I have order for supplying 1.0 tonne of green chilly. In the current situation I can only export 400 kilograms because of inadequate production and supply" Bangladesh Fruits, Vegetables and Allied Products Exporters Association (BFVAPEA) president SM Jahangir Hossain told the FE Tuesday.
General Secretary of the BFVAPEA Lutfor Rahman said that the vegetable fields had been inundated by flood waters resulting in extensive damage to the crops.
Leading non-government organisation BRAC and other farmers produce vegetables for export purposes only and the areas where these are cultivated includes Chandina, Haluaghat, Ahulia, Savar, Manikganj and Pabna.
"We have been supplying much lower volumes against our order from overseas buyers," BFVAPEA general secretary added.
The sector exported vegetables worth US$ 35.64 million against its target of $34 million in fiscal 2006-7.
Local exporters said out of the total Tk.5.0 billion export market, the European market accounts for 50 per cent while Middle-east for the remaining portion
The average export prices of vegetables in European countries are $ 3.5 per kilogram while it is $ 1.6 per kilogram in the middle- eastern countries.
Export of vegetables to the European and Middle East markets fell sharply over the past few weeks due to the on going flood which has affected 42 districts in the country.
Bangladesh exports different kind of vegetables to Europe and Middle East where the Bangladeshi expatriates are the major consumers.
Vegetable exporters told the FE Tuesday that the export volume fell about 60 per cent during the last few weeks.
The exporters said before the flood hit the country, they used to ship around 200 tonnes each week but now the volume has reduced to 80-90 tonnes a week.
"Price rise of the items is not much of a concern. But supply has been constrained. Suppose I have order for supplying 1.0 tonne of green chilly. In the current situation I can only export 400 kilograms because of inadequate production and supply" Bangladesh Fruits, Vegetables and Allied Products Exporters Association (BFVAPEA) president SM Jahangir Hossain told the FE Tuesday.
General Secretary of the BFVAPEA Lutfor Rahman said that the vegetable fields had been inundated by flood waters resulting in extensive damage to the crops.
Leading non-government organisation BRAC and other farmers produce vegetables for export purposes only and the areas where these are cultivated includes Chandina, Haluaghat, Ahulia, Savar, Manikganj and Pabna.
"We have been supplying much lower volumes against our order from overseas buyers," BFVAPEA general secretary added.
The sector exported vegetables worth US$ 35.64 million against its target of $34 million in fiscal 2006-7.
Local exporters said out of the total Tk.5.0 billion export market, the European market accounts for 50 per cent while Middle-east for the remaining portion
The average export prices of vegetables in European countries are $ 3.5 per kilogram while it is $ 1.6 per kilogram in the middle- eastern countries.