Bangladesh annually produces over 17 million tonnes of vegetables, but less than 0.3 percent is exported due to issues leading up to air freight boarding. The challenges in vegetable exports go beyond promotion and certification, focusing on the need for a consistent supply of safe, traceable, and market-ready produce. While awareness of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) requirements exists among farmers, compliance remains low, impacting food safety and plant health standards.
The gap between awareness and compliance poses a significant weakness in Bangladesh’s vegetable export chain. Overuse and misuse of pesticides are common, driven by immediate pest pressures and financial needs, rather than proper guidance. Noncompliance with pre-harvest intervals (PHI) and reliance on fragmented sourcing further hinder export competitiveness, leading to quality control issues.
Neglected post-harvest handling, inadequate testing infrastructure, and the lack of a functional cold chain system also contribute to export challenges. Compliance should be integrated throughout the value chain, emphasizing the importance of farmer training, proper pesticide use, traceability, packaging, testing, and logistics. Incentives for compliance are crucial for sustainable improvements in export practices.
Bangladesh must invest in institutional and logistical support to realize its vegetable export potential. Addressing systemic bottlenecks and ensuring a coordinated approach to compliance are essential for the country to achieve its export goals successfully. Without comprehensive reforms, Bangladesh’s vegetable export aspirations may fall short of expectations.
