Around 333 tonnes of mangoes from Rajshahi is expected to be exported to four European countries this season, officials said.
Abdul Awal, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), confirmed, saying the mangoes will be exported to Germany, France, Italy and Switzerland.
“We have selected four varieties – Khirshapat, Langra, Amropaly and Totamury- for export,” he added.
Awal said the mangoes will be exported through the Bangladesh Fruits Vegetables and Allied Products Exporters Association (BFVAPEA).
In 2019, 35.75 tonnes of Gopalbhog, Langra, Khirshapat, Amroplay and Himsagar mango varieties were exported to different European countries.
Awal said through state level, no mango was exported in 2020 because of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. But, 21 tonnes of mangoes were exported from Bagha and Charghat Upazilas in the district through the BFVAPEA.
On behalf of the DAE, the farmers are being imparted training on production, harvest and post-harvest management of the exportable mangoes so that they can export qualitative and standard fruit.
Awal said many farmers and value chain actors got the necessary training on best agricultural practices.
Mango trader Shafiqul Islam, who has been exporting mango to various countries since 2014, said there are huge demands of Rajshahi’s mango in foreign markets.
He said the Rajshahi mango farmers and traders are being affected badly as they are facing multifarious problems in terms of exporting the seasonal fruit due to the pandemic.
Mango export is almost double profitable than that of selling in local markets. But additional cost and care is needed for preparing the exportable mango as it requires use of modern technologies, he said.
“If we get requisite facilities in the fields of export, the volume of mango export will be boosted up to a greater extent,” he added.
Shariful Haque, Additional Deputy Commissioner, said the district administration will extend all possible cooperation to the mango farmers and traders.
The Upazila Monitoring Committee has been working to make sure only the qualitative mangoes are exported, he said.
“We are determined to brightening the country’s image abroad through the mango export,” he added.
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