Dhaka has secured certification from Beijing to export fresh mangoes to China, which spent $172 billion on fruit imports in the first six months of 2021.
"With this decision, a huge Chinese consumer market will be opened up to Bangladeshi high-quality mangoes and help Bangladesh achieve its export diversification goals," a Chinese embassy official told The Financial Express on Monday.
"It vividly demonstrates the essential features of a mutually beneficial and win-win result of economic and trade cooperation between the two countries," the official added.
China's General Administration of Customs issued 'Announcement No. 94 of 2024' (Announcement on phytosanitary requirements for importing fresh mangoes from Bangladesh) on Friday.
The announcement followed the signing of the 'Protocol of Phytosanitary Requirements for Exporting of Fresh Mangoes from Bangladesh to China' in Beijing during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit.
China first expressed interest in importing mangoes from Bangladesh last year.
In an interview with the FE in December last year, Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen said Bangladesh could narrow its large trade deficit with China by exporting fruits, especially mangoes, which are in high demand in his country.
A Chinese delegation led by Vice Minister Sun Weidong of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs proposed importing mangoes and other fruits, such as jackfruits, from Bangladesh in May this year. They also announced plans to send an expert team to Dhaka to assess the feasibility and quality of Bangladeshi fresh mangoes.
The team visited Bangladesh in June and China's customs authority approved the export of Bangladeshi mangoes to the world's second-largest economy based on the team's report.
A tempting market
China's annual imports of mangoes -- both fresh and processed -- have steadily increased over the years, surging fivefold between 2019 and 2020.
On average, China imported 84,000 tonnes of mangoes in recent years. According to reports, mango prices supplied to China ranged from 120 to 180 yuan ($16.56-$24.84), depending on quality.
Neighbouring countries such as Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia are major mango exporters to China.
China's appetite for mangoes reflects its growing demand for imported fruit from across Asia. Agricultural sourcing platform Tridge said the world's second-largest economy bought $172.45 billion worth of fruit from overseas in the first six months of 2021.
Demand for tropical fruits has been very high in China for the past few years because they typically do not have good substitutes, according to experts.
China was the world's second-largest importer of mangoes, mangosteens and guavas after the US, buying about 380,000 tonnes in total in 2020.
Bangladesh sending more mangoes abroad
Bangladesh has seen a significant increase in mango exports over the past few years, with taste proving crucial in outcompeting rivals despite challenging conditions.
The Ministry of Agriculture reports that mango exports from Bangladesh reached about 310 tonnes in the 2018-19 financial year, followed by 283 tonnes in 2019-20, 1,632 tonnes in 2020-21 and 1,757 tonnes in 2021-22.
This represents a remarkable 467 per cent growth in mango exports over the past three years.
Middle Eastern countries have been the main destinations for Bangladeshi mangoes, but the UK, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Germany also offer substantial markets with great potential.
Now China emerges as another possible market for Bangladeshi mangoes.
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com