Bangladesh is gearing up to enhance its exports of fresh fruits by introducing a state-of-the-art vapour heat treatment (VHT) plant in Gabtoli, Dhaka. This move signifies a crucial advancement in expanding the market access for locally grown mangoes to high-end global markets.
The newly established plant has the capacity to process up to 12 tonnes of mangoes daily while adhering to internationally recognized phytosanitary protocols, which is expected to boost export volumes.
Managed by the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC), the facility was inaugurated by Agriculture Minister Mohammed Amin Ur Rashid. It stands out as the first of its kind in Bangladesh, as highlighted by the agriculture ministry.
A VHT plant functions as a chemical-free quarantine facility utilizing high-humidity hot air, typically ranging between 42°C and 50°C, to eradicate pests like fruit flies and larvae from fresh produce. It meets strict international phytosanitary standards, enabling the export of fruits such as mangoes and dragon fruits to premium markets.
Minister Rashid disclosed ongoing discussions with Biman Bangladesh Airlines to lower export costs, with plans to engage other international airlines for expanding cargo services.
He emphasized that the facility would handle purification, quarantine certification, and packaging, streamlining the export process for traders who can now benefit from a comprehensive one-stop service without the need to visit multiple locations. Once processed, mangoes will be directly loaded from the facility to the airport for transportation.
Moreover, a temperature-controlled short-term storage facility will be established at the airport to maintain the quality and freshness of agricultural produce, including mangoes, until shipment.
China has exhibited interest in importing jackfruit from Bangladesh, having already received a trial shipment. Various countries, including Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, have also shown interest in Bangladeshi mango imports.
A senior BADC official stated that the plant would process around 3 tonnes of mangoes or agricultural produce per batch. Following treatment, the fruits would undergo a 30-minute washing process before drying, enhancing color, preserving quality, and extending shelf life by eight to ten days.
Mango exports from Bangladesh remained relatively stagnant between FY2017 and FY2020, ranging from 230 to 310 tonnes annually. The figures surged over tenfold to a peak of 3,100 tonnes in FY2023, according to data from the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE).
Despite some fluctuations, exports stood at 1,321 tonnes in FY2024 before rebounding to 2,194 tonnes in FY2025. Even at its peak, mango exports represented a mere 0.1 percent of the country’s total mango production.
This fiscal year has seen exports reach 1,408 tonnes thus far.
Mohammad Monsur, the general secretary of the Bangladesh Fruits, Vegetables, and Allied Products Exporters’ Association, commended the establishment of the VHT plant in Gabtoli as a positive development. However, he suggested that locating the facility closer to the airport would enhance logistics efficiency and substantially reduce transportation and handling costs, which could be a concern for exporters.
He also highlighted the need for direct issuance of phytosanitary certificates from the facility by the government to streamline the export process further, making the plant a genuine one-stop export hub.
Bangladesh ranks seventh globally in mango production, yielding between 24 lakh tonnes and 26.72 lakh tonnes annually for a domestic market valued at Tk 13,000 crore to Tk 14,000 crore.
Initially targeting Bangladeshi communities in the UK, Italy, and the Middle East, mango exports have diversified, especially after China’s interest in sourcing more Bangladeshi mangoes. Mexico, India, Brazil, the Netherlands, and Peru lead in global mango exports, with industry experts believing Bangladesh could elevate its exports to 8,000 tonnes with government backing.
