News Desk

Marking a significant milestone in Bangladesh’s agricultural export sector, Agriculture Secretary Dr. Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian announced on May 21 that the country will export mangoes to China for the first time on May 28. He made the announcement during a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.

Dr. Emdad Ullah confirmed that an initial shipment of about 50 metric tonnes of mangoes will be sent to China this year. “This is a historic moment for us,” he said, emphasizing the importance of diversifying export destinations for Bangladeshi fruits. Discussions are currently ongoing with provincial governments in China as well as with the Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka to explore the possibility of expanding mango exports to the country in the future.

Highlighting the government’s efforts to promote agricultural exports, Dr. Emdad Ullah stated that the Ministry of Agriculture is actively working to identify and develop more international markets for Bangladeshi mangoes. “We are assessing the demand and preferences in various countries to tailor our export strategies accordingly,” he added.

The secretary noted that Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus chaired a meeting earlier today where he directed the agriculture ministry to intensify efforts in exploring new global markets for mangoes. The adviser emphasized the need for a strategic approach that takes into account country-specific tastes and import potential.

“We are taking a big initiative regarding mangoes, and the results will be visible soon,” Dr. Emdad Ullah said, without disclosing further details. He also revealed that in addition to mangoes, steps have already been taken to begin exporting Bangladeshi jackfruits to China, following expressions of interest from the Chinese side.

Earlier in March 2025, China had expressed its intention to import mangoes, guavas, and jackfruits from Bangladesh, further strengthening the agricultural trade relationship between the two countries.

According to the agriculture ministry’s data, Bangladesh produces around 25 lakh (2.5 million) metric tonnes of mangoes annually. However, export volumes remain modest in comparison. In the 2022-23 fiscal year, mango exports stood at 31,100 metric tonnes, whereas in 2023-24, they dropped significantly to 1,321 metric tonnes.

In terms of production, the country harvested 27 lakh metric tonnes of mangoes in 2022-23, but the output slightly decreased to 24.5 lakh metric tonnes in the following year. Despite the seasonal nature of mango cultivation, the government is making concerted efforts to establish a more sustainable and export-oriented supply chain.

“Mangoes from Bangladesh are widely appreciated for their rich taste and aroma,” Dr. Emdad Ullah said, noting that there is considerable demand for the fruit in international markets. “We want to capitalize on this by ensuring high-quality exports that meet global phytosanitary standards.”

Present at the briefing were Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Additional Secretary Dr. Md Mahmudur Rahman, who echoed the optimism about expanding the export potential of Bangladeshi fruits.

The government hopes that successful mango exports to China will pave the way for broader agricultural cooperation and open new avenues for other fruit exports. With a focused export policy and stronger bilateral ties, Bangladesh aims to establish a robust presence in Asia’s growing fruit markets.