Over the past decade, Bangladesh's fruit and vegetable exports have plummeted by a staggering 68.7%. This decline is primarily attributed to high export costs, inadequate agricultural practices and infrastructural deficiencies. Meanwhile, Europe's market share for these products has diminished, but it has increased in Middle Eastern countries. In FY23, 49% of Bangladesh's fruit and vegetable exports went to the Middle East, compared to 30.7% a decade ago.
A recent report indicates that exports to Europe have dropped from 54.8% in FY2014 to 32% in FY2023. These products mainly reach ethnic markets for Bangladeshi expatriates due to a lack of traceability systems and issues like poor agricultural practices, packaging, and technology.
Bangladesh's agricultural exports comprise a range of vegetables and fruits. Export destinations include the UK, Italy, Germany, France, the Middle East, and other countries. Many insiders and exporters have also said that exports of agro and agro-processed products have declined due to factors like the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.
Source: dhakatribune.com