Bangladesh’s agricultural product exports saw a slight increase during the July-September period of the financial year 2024-25, while vegetable shipments experienced a significant decline. Exporters reported that rising freight costs have hindered vegetable exports over the past three years, but they remain optimistic about a potential recovery as freight costs begin to decrease. According to data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), agricultural product exports for the first quarter of FY25 reached $264.76 million, reflecting a 3.18% increase compared to $256.61 million during the same period in FY24.
However, EPB data indicated a sharp drop in vegetable exports, which totaled $17.21 million in July-September of FY25, a decrease of 63.68% from $47.38 million in the same period of FY24. Mohammad Monsur, chairman of the FBCCI standing committee on the import and export of fruits and vegetables, highlighted the challenges faced by vegetable exporters, including high freight costs, insufficient cargo space for perishable goods, a lack of scanners at airports, and increased production costs.
Despite these challenges, Monsur noted a slight uptick in vegetable shipments over the past month due to falling freight costs. He also pointed out that export earnings from agricultural products grew positively, driven by increased fruit shipments. Government data revealed that fruit exports surged by 472.76% to $16.61 million in July-September of FY25, compared to just $2.90 million during the same period in the previous financial year. Additionally, export earnings from dry food rose by 7.71% to $51.41 million.
Monsur further emphasized the difficulties Bangladesh faces in capturing its potential market share for vegetable exports in key markets such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. He noted that competing countries like India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are able to export vegetables at lower costs, placing Bangladesh at a competitive disadvantage.
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