Agro exports soar to $1bn in July-April

Bangladesh has fetched $1.04 billion from the exports of agricultural products during the July-April period of current 2021-22 fiscal year, posting a 26.26 percent growth over the same period of the last fiscal year.

Export of agricultural products during the same 10-month of the last fiscal year was $824.59 million, according to the latest data of Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).

Export of vegetables, tobacco, cut flower, foliage and fruits has increased among the agricultural products. Export of tea, spices, dry food has declined during the period.

Monjurul Islam, adviser of Bangladesh Fruits, Vegetables and Allied Products Exporters Association (BFVAPEA), said that production of pest and disease-free vegetables and fruits has increased, resulting in a rise in export income from agro products.

“If the practice of safe vegetable and fruits production is expanded across the country, export income from agriculture sector will increase to $10-15 billion within 2-3 years,” he said.

“The government has formulated a National Action Plan to support the production of pest-free and quality vegetables and fruits for domestic consumption and exports,” said Dr Shamim Ahmed, additional deputy director (Tuber Crops, Vegetable and Spices) of Horticulture Wing of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE).

“The action plan outlines the production and post-harvest management practices to produce high quality and safe vegetables and fruits to comply with national and international market standards. Contract farming has been made mandatory in the action plan,” he said.

The facility helps to comply with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS agreement) and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), he informed.