According to Iqbal Hossain of NANO, the Himsagor mango season should start just on time around the second week of May. “This year, the production volume might amount to about 1,900,000 MT, although the figure may have dropped due to the impact of a heavy hail storm last February. Quality will be very good, as at this moment the weather is favorable.”Of the country’s total mango production, Hossain states that 488.78 MT were exported last year. “In this regards, my company started producing through contract farming for the upcoming season in order to comply with the mandatory regulations for export to EU countries.” To make sure this was done properly, a team led by the quarantine wing of the Department of Agriculture, comprising of members from other wings of the DAE and Shere-Bangla Agricultural University, they´ve visited my mango orchards twice.”
He affirms that the most important producing regions in Bangladesh are Satkhira, Chapai Nababhanj & Rajshahi district. There are so many varieties, including the Himsagor, Lengra, Amropali, Gopalbhog, Fazlee, Nakfazlee, Khirsapati, Mohanbhog, Chyatapori, Haribhanga or the Lakhna, although last year, Walmart UK approved only 3 varieties: the Himsagor, Lengra & Amropali. “Walmart is expected to continue doing business with us this year. Other supermarkets are not aware about our varieties. However, we are trying to get in contact with other supermarket buyers, including Tesco.”
Nano will also be making an effort to introduce our mangoes to Far East countries, the UK remains the most important destination. “The suspension of cargo in direct flights to the UK has affected us and the cargo has to be rescanned at the transit point, leading to long transit times of about 15 hours. Consequently, if the UK doesn’t remove this suspension, both we and our growers will lose money.”
The main point is that Nano’s mangoes can only be exported by air and the cost of air freight is one of the highest in the world. “This is one of the most important barriers to exporting to the EU, but buyers can help us by paying a higher price, as our mangoes are the sweetest in the world,” concludes Hossain.
For more information:
Iqbal Hossain
Nano (Bangladesh)
Cell: +880 1732 939133
email: iqbal@nano.com.bd ; nano.com.bd@gmail.com
http://www.nano.com.bd