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 fiscal years, reports UNB.
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 year (FY), 2012-2013, whereas the EU market contributed to more than 50 per cent of the export earnings in FY, 2007-2008.
In 2007-2008, 56 per cent of the country's total earning from fresh vegetables export came from the EU market, whereas the figure has reduced to 31.09 per cent in the FY, 2012-13.
Similarly, the share of earning from fresh fruits export to the EU market has come down to 5.5 per cent of the total export of fresh fruits in fiscal 2011-12 compared to the 45 per cent share back in FY, 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. Over the first six months of the current fiscal, the country earned about US$75.70 million from the export of fresh fruits and vegetables.
The share of export value of fruits and vegetables to the United Kingdom was 19.68 per cent of the total value of the export across the world in the first six months of the current fiscal, compared to the 24.63 per cent in the previous fiscal.
A Hortex official, preferring anonymity, said it is likely that the country's export of fruits and vegetables to the EU will not grow as much as it has been observed few years back, as EU countries want the exporting-countries to have stronger quarantine and traceability system to ensure the availability of quality and safe food.
To regain the EU market's confidence, Bangladesh needs to strengthen the quarantine system as recommended by the Food and Veterinary Office of the European Commission, he said.
Besides, he added, for a longer term, the country needs to adopt and implement a Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) protocol of its own that will bring the marketing of agro-produces under international standardisation and accreditation.
He also cautioned that the government's move to release genetically modified organisms (GMO) crops like rice, brinjal and potato will put the export of agro-produces at risk amid likely embargo by the importing countries, particularly in the EU and Middle East regions.
