Mango exports to China expected to commence next summer

After nearly six years of negotiations, Bangladesh has received approval to export mangoes to China, with shipments expected to begin next summer, according to the commerce ministry.

To export any food item to China, it must be registered with the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC). Bangladesh secured this approval for mangoes in July last year, while applications for jackfruit and guava are still pending. Negotiations for GACC registration of these fruits have recently resumed, along with discussions on exporting other agricultural products, such as potatoes and fragrant rice. However, no significant progress has been made in these areas.

Bangladesh initially applied for permission to export mangoes and other agricultural products to China in 2019. The approval process for such applications in China is typically lengthy, and delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic extended the timeline further. As a result, the final decision on mango exports took more than six years.

During a press briefing on 20 March, the chief adviser’s press secretary, Shafiqul Alam, stated that China has expressed interest in importing mangoes, jackfruits, and guavas from Bangladesh. This interest was conveyed by Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen during a recent meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka.

“The chief adviser urged China to import mangoes, jackfruits, and guavas from Bangladesh, and China has shown strong interest in these fruits. This development will open new opportunities for exports to China,” the press secretary noted.

Mamun Mridha, former general secretary of the Bangladesh-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCCI), told Prothom Alo, “Chinese consumers appreciate the taste of our mangoes and jackfruits. We are hopeful that, in addition to mangoes, jackfruit exports to China will begin next season. Once exports commence, they are likely to grow over time. This will also enhance commercial fruit production and generate foreign exchange earnings.”

Last year, a delegation of Chinese business representatives visited Bangladesh to assess the potential for mango and jackfruit imports. During their two-week stay, they inspected orchards in Rajshahi and provided recommendations on packaging standards for export. There are also discussions about setting up a mango testing laboratory in Bangladesh with funding from China.

Following a meeting with the Chinese ambassador in September, Foreign Secretary Jasim Uddin stated that the export process for mangoes to China is nearing completion. “As a gesture of friendship, we requested market access for multiple products in China. However, China typically approves exports one product at a time,” he explained.

Regarding the export of other products to China, commerce ministry officials noted that Chinese importers found the price of Bangladeshi potatoes to be high due to production costs. While they collected samples for testing, the quality did not meet their standards. Additionally, Chinese traders cited Bangladesh’s inconsistent trade policies as a challenge to importing fragrant rice, as the commerce ministry frequently imposes and lifts restrictions on its export. Currently, India and Pakistan dominate the Chinese market for fragrant rice.

Anwar Hossain, Vice Chairman of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), highlighted the positive response from a visiting Chinese delegation. “They showed a strong preference for our mangoes and jackfruits. Efforts are ongoing to expand the export portfolio to include other products, and we remain optimistic,” he said.