Increasing Export Of Fruits And Vegetables.

Despite slow growth in exports of fresh vegetables and fruits, Bangladeshi businessmen are otherwise optimistic of the potential of these sectors. They are for a modern processing centre to help them export more fresh produces by meeting requirements of buyers, especially in the European markets. The trade promotion organisation in the sector has reportedly sought technical and financial supports, besides allocation of land from the government for the centre.

The fresh vegetable and fruit exporters have been facing a tough competition from their counterparts from Pakistan, India and Kenya in Middle-east markets including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait. The two South Asian exporters for their close proximity are able to send their goods at cheap prices through the sea-route while Bangladesh exporters have to rely on expensive air shipment.

Fruits and vegetable exporters say that they are constrained from exporting more mainly for the lack of facilities for air freighting. The national flag carrier has very limited capacities for this and its charges are also relatively high. A big boost to export of vegetables and fruits can take place from the national flag carrier increasing its carrying capacities and scaling down its charges. There is no reason why it should not take such measures because carrying of Bangladeshi agro-products round the world can turn out to be a lucrative source of business for the airline.

Side by side, setting up of more cold storages throughout the country needs to be encouraged through tax concessions or exemptions for their entrepreneurs as well as loans extended to them at a relatively low rate of interest. The use of air conditioned vans in this sector also needs to be encouraged with institutional credit extended for the purpose on attractive terms.

On its part, the government can make a big contribution by improving road networks to and from areas where fruits and vegetables are grown extensively. The exporters need to be trained in cutting, processing, packaging, grading and testing in conformity with international standards. Perhaps, the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) can take an initiative in this matter.

The growing of vegetables and fruits organically must be encouraged with no loss of time. The European Union (EU) recently warned Bangladesh and some other countries that fruits and vegetables export within its territories would not be allowed if these are found to be grown with chemical fertiliser and chemical pesticides.

Given the fact that the EU countries are seen as likely major importers of Bangladeshi vegetables and fruits and good payers of prices for the same, there is no time to lose to promote organic farming in the country. Vegetable and fruit growers also need to be trained to grow the same under greenhouse conditions which is done in many countries of the world. The method is safe and ensures higher production round the year. Besides, farmers should be motivated also to produce high value vegetables for exports such as broccoli, gherkin, French beans, etc.

The EPB should host more single country fairs abroad to introduce and popularise our fruits and vegetables. The commercial wings of the Bangladesh missions abroad need also to take up more energetic plans to make these agro-products familiar and popular among the foreign buyers.

Source : thefinancialexpress-bd.com