Tomato growers in Bagerhat, Bangladesh, are navigating an oversaturated domestic market by exporting to Malaysia. As of now, 40 metric tonnes of tomatoes have been exported, with 26 more metric tonnes scheduled for shipment. Local markets have seen prices drop to $0.04-$0.05 per kg, making it unfeasible for farmers to harvest.
The export initiative, led by Faisal Ahmed of Madhumati Agro & Nursery, offers a viable alternative, providing farmers with $0.12-$0.13 per kg. "This is a major breakthrough," said Ahmed, who aims to expand exports to other vegetables soon. High-quality tomato varieties such as Bahubali and Beautiful-2 are among those being exported.
Farmers like Helal Uddin Molla, who initially faced low prices, are now seeing renewed hope. "This is the first time our tomatoes are being sent abroad. Many farmers in our area are hopeful again," he stated. The export efforts involve collecting tomatoes from local growers and transporting them to Chattogram port for shipment in refrigerated containers to maintain freshness.
Shankar Kumar Majumder from the Department of Agricultural Extension confirmed that the tomatoes met all quality standards before export. While local market prices remain low, the export initiative offers a sustainable path forward.
Source: Financial Express