Export of mango of Satkhira, Rajshahi to Europe begins

The beginning of mango exports from Bangladesh for the 2021 season has finally started, with the first consignment of the Himsagar variety leaving for three European countries on Friday.

Some 4,000kg of Himsagar mangoes from the orchard of Hafizur Rahman in Satkhira Sadar upazila's Madhabkati Choygharia have been sent to Italy, France, and London -- thanks to a special project called SaFal started by Solidaridad Network Asia with financial assistance from the Netherlands.

In fact, according to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) in Satkhira, the local mango farmers expect a two-fold increase in export orders from Europe this year as the king of fruits is fast gaining popularity in the continent.

Satkhira's deputy commissioner SM Mostafa Kamal inaugurated the export activities in the district on Friday.

"The export activities of mangoes and other vegetables from Satkhira district under the SaFal project will continue. The DAE will supervise the activities," said Mostafa.

The Khirsapat mango of Chapainawabganj, popularly known as Himsagar, last year got the Geographical Indication (GI) tag as the third Bangladeshi product after Hilsa and Jamdani.

GI is a name or sign used on products to certify that it possesses certain qualities for being made or produced as per traditional methods or enjoys a certain reputation due to its geographical origin.

Khirshapat mangoes are one of the tastiest and account for 20-25 percent of the total mangoes produced in Bangladesh every year. This variety is exported to many countries of Europe and the Middle East every year.

Officials believe the GI tag will not only inspire farmers to boost production but also help strengthen the economy of the country.

BSS from Rajshahi adds: Around 333 tonnes of mangoes from Rajshahi are expected to be exported to four European countries this season, officials said.

Abdul Awal, Deputy Director of the 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 are required 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.