Vegetable export prospects

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Despite slow growth in exports of fresh vegetables and fruits, the businessmen are optimistic of the potentials of these items. The country would be able to export more fresh produces provided 'one modern processing centre' is set up for testing, sorting and packaging facilities and efficient and hassle-free airport services.
A modern processing centre can help the businesses to export more fresh produces by meeting requirements of buyers, especially in the European markets. An allotment of land as well as technical and financial support from the government to set up the centre will be considered a pro-active policy support for exporters in the sector.
The fresh vegetable and fruit exporters are now facing stiff competition from their counterparts from Pakistan, India and Kenya in the Middle-east markets including United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait. Pakistani and Indian exporters, because of their close proximity to the Middle-East, are able to send their goods at cheap rates through the sea-route while Bangladesh exporters have to rely on expensive air shipment. Even then the export of fresh vegetables and fruits from the country has got good market as Bangladeshi expatriates are the main buyers who prefer home-grown produces.
The Bangladeshis in many European cities look for fresh Bangladeshi vegetables and fruits. Earlier Britain was the major destination for local fresh vegetables and fruits. For the past few years Bangladesh has been exporting such consignments to some other European countries. The government needs to design its policy to tap the potential of this sector.

Raquib Ahmed
Motijheel Commercial Area
Dhaka