Bangladesh has received authorization from China to export fresh mangoes, following an agreement on phytosanitary requirements. This development was confirmed through the issuance of 'Announcement No. 94 of 2024' by China's General Administration of Customs, which came after the 'Protocol of Phytosanitary Requirements for Exporting of Fresh Mangoes from Bangladesh to China' was signed in Beijing. The agreement is expected to facilitate access for Bangladeshi mangoes into the Chinese market, which has seen a consistent rise in fruit imports, reaching $172 billion in the first half of 2021 alone.
China's interest in importing mangoes from Bangladesh was first indicated last year, with a Chinese delegation proposing the import of mangoes and other fruits like jackfruits. Following a visit by a Chinese expert team to assess the quality of Bangladeshi mangoes, approval was granted for their export. This move is seen as a step towards narrowing Bangladesh's trade deficit with China, with the potential for mangoes to be a key export item given their high demand in China.
China, a significant importer of mangoes, has seen its imports of the fruit, both fresh and processed, increase fivefold between 2019 and 2020. With an average import of 84,000 tonnes of mangoes in recent years, China's demand for tropical fruits has been on the rise, lacking good substitutes domestically. This presents an opportunity for Bangladesh, which has experienced a remarkable growth in mango exports over the past few years, to further expand its market reach.
Source: today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd