In substantial improvement for the country’s agricultural sector, Bangladesh is poised to launch sending mangoes to China for the first time, with the maiden shipment scheduled for May 28. This initial consignment will consist of around 50 metric tonnes of mangoes, marking a new chapter in the diversification of Bangladesh’s fruit exports.
The announcement was made by Agriculture Secretary Dr. Emdad Ullah at a press briefing. He revealed that discussions are ongoing with Chinese provincial governments as well as the Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka to expand mango exports beyond this initial volume. The goal is to build a sustainable export relationship that could benefit Bangladeshi farmers and traders in the long term.
Present at the press briefing were Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Additional Secretary Md Mahmudur Rahman, both of whom emphasized the importance of this milestone for the country’s agro-economy.
According to Dr. Mian, the Ministry of Agriculture has undertaken a series of initiatives aimed at expanding Bangladesh’s presence in international fruit markets. These efforts were spurred by a recent directive from Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, who urged agricultural officials to assess global demand on a country-specific basis and tailor export strategies accordingly.
“The Chief Adviser has instructed us to look beyond our traditional markets and explore opportunities where Bangladeshi mangoes can meet demand for high-quality, delicious fruits,” said Dr. Mian. “The launch of mango exports to China is only the first step in expanding Bangladesh’s presence in international markets.” A much bigger initiative is in the works and will be announced soon.”
Bangladesh is a major producer of mangoes, with average annual production hovering around 2.5 million tonnes. In the 2022–23 season, the country produced a record 2.7 million tonnes, while 2023–24 saw a slight dip to 2.45 million tonnes. Despite this high production, exports remain low — 31,100 tonnes were exported in 2022–23, but this figure fell sharply to just 1,321 tonnes in 2023–24.
Dr. Mian acknowledged the need to bridge this gap between production and exports. “There is significant international demand for Bangladeshi mangoes, especially due to their taste, aroma, and overall quality. However, logistical and regulatory challenges have limited our ability to meet that demand,” he said.
To address these challenges, the Ministry is investing in modernizing mango processing and packaging facilities, improving post-harvest treatment methods, and ensuring compliance with international phytosanitary standards. One such measure includes the use of hot water treatment plants, which are essential for meeting export requirements in countries like China.
Additionally, the government is taking steps to facilitate cargo flights from Rajshahi Airport, a key mango-producing region, to enable faster and fresher deliveries to overseas markets.
“While mango exports mark a significant milestone, they represent just the beginning of a larger vision for transforming Bangladesh’s agricultural exports.”
Mian also confirmed that preparations are underway to export Bangladeshi jackfruits to China, following China’s formal expression of interest in March 2025 to import mangoes, guavas, and jackfruits from Bangladesh.
“This is a holistic approach to fruit export. We’re not just focusing on mangoes, but also leveraging interest in other tropical fruits where Bangladesh has a competitive edge,” Dr. Mian noted.
The Ministry has also launched a long-term strategy to enhance the country’s agricultural exports through a centralized Management Information System (MIS). This digital infrastructure aims to improve coordination, data tracking, and forecasting for all major crops, including fruits, with the goal of achieving a more technology-driven, sustainable agricultural sector by 2050.
