Export of horticultural crops can be raised 2-3 times
Reported by: Golam Moin Uddin/Edited by Syed Mustafizur Rahman
Reported on: March 05, 2010 16:51 PM
Reported in: Business
Reported on: March 05, 2010 16:51 PM
Reported in: Business
Dhaka, Mar 5 (UNB) - The export of horticultural crops could be raised 2-3 times if concentrated thrust is given in this sector, said exporters and officials of Hortex Foundation.
“It is possible to raise the volume of export 2-3 times if some problems are addressed and the government gives proper attention,” said SM Jahangir Hossain, president of Bangladesh Food, Vegetables and Allied Products Exporters Association (BFVAPEA).
He underscored establishing a central warehouse or packing house in absence of which the Bangladeshi exporters are facing difficulty in maintaining a cool chain of supply.
“If the central warehouse is established, we would be able to export our products in desired quality to super shops in EU and other countries,” he said.
Saying that exporters are often harassed by the customs officials while exporting their products, Jahangir urged the government to look into the matter. He also stressed the need for reducing air fair as most exports are done by air, saying that this will increase foreign exchange earnings.
Dr. SM Monwar Hossain, managing director of Hortex Foundation which promotes export of horticultural crops, said: “There is huge export potential for our horticultural crops, but we are yet to explore it fully. There is a need to strengthen the Hortex Foundation to fully explore the potential.”
He said that the government could strengthen the Horticulture Export Development Foundation through realizing service charges from the stakeholders, providing seed money or giving subsidy towards packaging cost.
“If government subsidy is ensured in packaging, it would be possible to use quality packaging material and also to ensure export quality of our products for the international markets.”
Hortex Foundation chief executive also stressed the need for increasing the air cargo space and improving the shipment facility at Chittagong Port.
“Neighboring countries like Sri Lanka and India are our competitors and we have to be more updated to stay in the export market,” he said.
Bangladesh exports horticultural crops such as vegetables and fruits to UK, Italy, France Germany Belgium, Sweden, Netherlands, Saudi Arab, Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, Oman, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.
According to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), Bangladesh exported highest 33,626 metric ton of fresh fruits and vegetables earning US$ 69.12 million in fiscal 2007-08.
But this positive trend could not be continued in the next fiscal (2008-09) due to global economic recession. Bangladesh earned US$ 50.71 million during the year exporting 24,670 metric tons of fresh fruits and vegetables.
SM Monwar Hossain, also a Director of PIU, Supply Chain Development Component of National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP), emphasized on developing infrastructures and logistical support to increase exports.
Hortex Foundation, a non-profit organization, was established in 1993 to address the challenge of poverty alleviation through sustainable agribusiness development and export promotion of high value agricultural commodities.
The Foundation assists private sector to promote agribusiness in the country, promote Bangladeshi produces at local and international markets, establishes linkage with different national, international organizations, NGOs, donors and private entrepreneurs.
The Foundation have also supported export of about 5,000 metric tons of fresh produces to EU and Middle East, supported export of 1,550 metric tons of frozen vegetables to EU and USA, and supplied 400,000 international standard cartons and packaging materials to producers and exporters.
“It is possible to raise the volume of export 2-3 times if some problems are addressed and the government gives proper attention,” said SM Jahangir Hossain, president of Bangladesh Food, Vegetables and Allied Products Exporters Association (BFVAPEA).
He underscored establishing a central warehouse or packing house in absence of which the Bangladeshi exporters are facing difficulty in maintaining a cool chain of supply.
“If the central warehouse is established, we would be able to export our products in desired quality to super shops in EU and other countries,” he said.
Saying that exporters are often harassed by the customs officials while exporting their products, Jahangir urged the government to look into the matter. He also stressed the need for reducing air fair as most exports are done by air, saying that this will increase foreign exchange earnings.
Dr. SM Monwar Hossain, managing director of Hortex Foundation which promotes export of horticultural crops, said: “There is huge export potential for our horticultural crops, but we are yet to explore it fully. There is a need to strengthen the Hortex Foundation to fully explore the potential.”
He said that the government could strengthen the Horticulture Export Development Foundation through realizing service charges from the stakeholders, providing seed money or giving subsidy towards packaging cost.
“If government subsidy is ensured in packaging, it would be possible to use quality packaging material and also to ensure export quality of our products for the international markets.”
Hortex Foundation chief executive also stressed the need for increasing the air cargo space and improving the shipment facility at Chittagong Port.
“Neighboring countries like Sri Lanka and India are our competitors and we have to be more updated to stay in the export market,” he said.
Bangladesh exports horticultural crops such as vegetables and fruits to UK, Italy, France Germany Belgium, Sweden, Netherlands, Saudi Arab, Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, Oman, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.
According to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), Bangladesh exported highest 33,626 metric ton of fresh fruits and vegetables earning US$ 69.12 million in fiscal 2007-08.
But this positive trend could not be continued in the next fiscal (2008-09) due to global economic recession. Bangladesh earned US$ 50.71 million during the year exporting 24,670 metric tons of fresh fruits and vegetables.
SM Monwar Hossain, also a Director of PIU, Supply Chain Development Component of National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP), emphasized on developing infrastructures and logistical support to increase exports.
Hortex Foundation, a non-profit organization, was established in 1993 to address the challenge of poverty alleviation through sustainable agribusiness development and export promotion of high value agricultural commodities.
The Foundation assists private sector to promote agribusiness in the country, promote Bangladeshi produces at local and international markets, establishes linkage with different national, international organizations, NGOs, donors and private entrepreneurs.
The Foundation have also supported export of about 5,000 metric tons of fresh produces to EU and Middle East, supported export of 1,550 metric tons of frozen vegetables to EU and USA, and supplied 400,000 international standard cartons and packaging materials to producers and exporters.
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