Bangladesh’s
vegetables have always been in high demand in the global market. However,
rising local prices, increased air cargo and container shipping costs, and
excessive chemical usage have led to a decline in exports. Just two years ago,
60,000 tons of vegetables were exported, but in the last fiscal year, this
dropped to only 14,000 tons—marking a 76.58 percent reduction.
According
to industry experts, transportation companies have repeatedly increased rates
over the years without notice. Air cargo and refrigerated container
(refrigerated or temperature-sensitive containers) costs have risen
significantly. For instance, sending products from Kolkata to London costs just
$2 to $2.50 per kilogram, while sending the same products from Bangladesh costs
over $5.
Data
from the Chattogram Plant Quarantine Station (Seaport) shows that during the
2023-24 fiscal years, Bangladesh exported 1,669 tons of fresh vegetables (such
as pumpkin, cabbage, and tomatoes); 1,406 tons of frozen vegetables; and 11,127
tons of potatoes, totaling 14,202 tons of vegetables. In comparison, during the
2022-23 fiscal years, Bangladesh exported 3,176 tons of fresh vegetables; 1,187
tons of frozen vegetables; and 29,560 tons of potatoes; totaling 33,923 tons.
Two years ago, in 2021-22, vegetable exports amounted to 60,634 tons, including
5,582 tons of fresh vegetables; 2,028 tons of frozen vegetables; and 53,024
tons of potatoes. This indicates that in two years, vegetable exports have
decreased by 46,432 tons or 76.58 percent.
Among
the vegetable crops exported from Bangladesh, potatoes account for the highest
volume. However, Bangladesh is falling behind due to countries like China,
India, and Russia exporting potatoes at lower prices. Yet in 2015-16,
Bangladesh was among the top potato exporters in the global market.
In
addition to potatoes, Bangladesh exports various vegetables such as pumpkins,
cabbages, cauliflowers, tomatoes, beans, eggplants, spiny gourds, pointed
gourds, taro roots, bottle gourds, and Chinese cabbages.
Exporters
claim that they have to purchase vegetables from local markets at prices BDT 10
to 15 higher than the domestic rate. Moreover, despite the demand for frozen
vegetables in the Middle East, Europe, the US, and Canada, businesses have
reduced vegetable and fruit exports due to rising air cargo costs and
refrigerated container fees. Competing countries are exporting organic
vegetables and fruits, while excessive chemical residues have been found in
Bangladeshi produce. This also discourages foreign buyers who avoid chemically
treated products.
Mahbub
Rana, President of the Chattogram Fresh Fruits, Vegetables, and Products Exporters
Group, told Bonik Barta: “Fruit and vegetable exports are a promising sector.
But in the last six months, air cargo rates have increased 17 times. Shipping
one kilogram of potatoes to Europe, the US, and Canada costs around BDT 700,
while Indian exporters pay just BDT 250. Given this scenario, Bangladeshi
exporters are losing interest.”
He
claims that at least 70 percent of businesses have withdrawn from vegetable
exports. “Instead of sending vegetables by air, we tried to ship perishable
fruits and vegetables via refrigerated containers. But due to the global
economic downturn and the Russia-Ukraine war, container prices have surged from
$1,000-$1,500 to $5,000-$6,000. Higher transportation costs and high purchasing
prices from farmers are further increasing losses in vegetable and fruit
exports.”
In
response to the overall situation, Dr. Mohammad Shah Alam, Deputy Director of
the Chattogram Plant Quarantine Station, told Bonik Barta, “Vegetable exports
through the Chattogram port and airport have declined. Rising transportation
costs are causing businesses to lose interest in exports. We are in contact
with exporters to encourage more exports abroad.”
He
also mentioned that vegetable exports could increase if air cargo and
refrigerated container shipping costs were reduced.