The scheduled Bangladeshi fruit fair in Qatar has been thrown into uncertainty due to rising tensions in the Middle East following the Iran-Israel conflict, Samakal reports. The Qatari government temporarily suspended its airspace, leading to the cancellation of two Bangladesh-Qatar flights.
These cancellations forced more than 100 Bangladeshi fruit traders, who were en route to the fair in Doha, to return home. The cancelled flights were also carrying approximately 95 metric tons of fruits and vegetables intended for export display at the fair.
The fair, which was set to open on Wednesday, was seen as a key opportunity for Bangladeshi exporters to showcase their produce and secure new trade deals in the Middle East. With flights grounded and the airspace closure ongoing, traders now face potential financial losses from shipment delays and lost sales opportunities.
Authorities from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) and Biman Bangladesh Airlines have confirmed that all flights to Qatar remain suspended for security reasons. A decision on resuming flights is still pending.
This disruption highlights how geopolitical instability can rapidly impact the trade and logistics of fresh produce, particularly for exporters relying on key Middle Eastern markets.
Source: Samakal
