Published :
Updated :
For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
The country's poultry-processing sector suffers a setback due to a limited number of formal slaughterhouses, inadequate investment and poor cold-chain logistics.
What is more, it lacks adoption of advanced technologies and certification in line with international standards.
The observations were made at a workshop styled 'Poultry Industry Processing' hosted by the Netherlands Embassy in Bangladesh, Larive International, Lightcastle Partners and the Bangladesh Poultry Industries Central Council (BPICC), reads a statement.
The workshop was aimed at fostering networking of industry stakeholders and discussing key recommendations for poultry industry entrepreneurs.
Subramani Horiharan, accounts manager at Marel, a leading multinational food-processing company, delivered a presentation on the topic at the event, while Bangladesh Poultry Industries Coordination Committe (BPICC) secretary Mostafa Kamal delivered opening remarks.
BPICC communication and media adviser Sazzad Hossain and LightCastle Partners business analyst Naziba Ali, among others, were present. LightCastle Partners business consultant Ainan Tajrian moderated the event.
According to data available with the Industrial Development Leasing Company of Bangladesh Limited (IDLC-Bangladesh), quality food processing supports more than 20 per cent of the country's workforce and plays a pivotal role in driving economic growth.
As such, expanding food-processing capacity not only reduces food waste, but also opens up significant opportunities for boosting exports.
In 2022, Bangladesh exported halal meat valued at $0.64 million to countries, including the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and the United States.
Keeping this in mind, enhancing food-processing standards can significantly increase export opportunities to these markets.
However, entrepreneurs in the sector face several challenges.
With this end in view, the participants suggested increasing the number of formal slaughterhouses, investing in sustainable infrastructure, prioritising food safety and adopting eco-friendly practice.
They also suggested introducing advanced technology, developing temperature-sensitive cold chain infrastructure to prevent spoilage and promoting certification based on international quality standards.
The speakers also underscored prioritising four major areas for poultry industry entrepreneurs: increasing infrastructure investment, prioritising food safety, adopting environment-friendly practice and integrating modern technology into processing systems.
The event concluded with a closing address by Amber Van Sponsen, emerging market adviser at Larive International.
More than 30 officials and representatives from institutions like Paragon, Aftab, Bengal Meat, AG Food, Pran, Provita and ACI Godrej Agrovet attended the event.
According to the statement, PoultryTech Bangladesh is a collaborative programme under public-private partnership aimed at strengthening the poultry sector's potential in Bangladesh.
Larive International and Lightcastle Partners, supported by funding from the Netherlands government, have been instrumental in managing and implementing poultry industry projects over the past few years.
The event highlighted the growing demand for officially processed poultry products in Bangladesh.
In just six years, daily chicken meat consumption has surged to 26.2 grams per person in 2022 from 17.3 grams in 2016.
With commercial poultry farm growth at an estimated 15 per cent annually, Bangladesh now produces 23.37-billion eggs and 1.46-million tonnes of poultry meat each year.
As the market rapidly expands, significant infrastructure development in the poultry-processing industry is crucial for sustained growth.
saif.febd@gmail.com