Home ›› 10 Dec 2022 ›› Front
Mango export earnings increased almost six times, jumping to $2.36 lakh in FY22 from $40,019 the year before, according to the Export Promotion Bureau data.
However, the fruit’s production declined by 6 per cent during this period. Farmers across the country produced 23.5 lakh tonnes of mango in FY22, which was 25 lakh tonnes in the previous fiscal year.
On the other hand, mango exports more than doubled in a year, reaching 1,737.83 tonnes in FY22 from 791 tonnes in FY21, according to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE).
Besides, 279 tonnes were exported in FY20, 309 tonnes in FY19, and 231 tonnes in FY18.
The main export destinations of the delicious fruit in FY22 were Switzerland, Sweden, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Eswatini.
Bangladesh Fruits, Vegetables and Allied Products Exporters' Association General Secretary Mohammed Mansur said mango farmers had been using protective bags during cultivation for the last two to three years, which helped increase exports to European countries.
“These bags protect the fruits from bacteria attacks. This is a key requirement for exporting mango to Europe,” he said.
Another reason is that direct flights to some countries have been introduced, including two to three such flights to the UK per week, he also said.
“Dry goods are heading to different destinations by waterways. That is why flight operators are getting interested in transporting perishable items. All this helped mango exports go up,” the business leader said.
“However, some hassles involving fruit exports still remain at the airport. We expect those will be solved after the third terminal’s completion at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport,” Mansur added.
Why production fell
The country failed to increase mango yield in FY22 despite an increase in the amount of land it was cultivated in. Per hectare yield also went down.
The DAE data shows farmers produced mangoes in some 202,968 hectares of land in FY22, up from 198,578 hectares the year before.
Among the top-yielding districts, 3.68 lakh tonnes were produced in Naogaon, 2.97 lakh tonnes in Chapainawabganj, 2.06 lakh tonnes in Rajshahi, 1.08 lakh tonnes in Bandarban, and 79,842 tonnes in Natore. These five districts accounted for 45 per cent of the total production.
Chapainawabganj saw the highest production fall, 22 per cent less than FY21.
Besides, per hectare yield went down to 11.58 tonnes in FY22 from 12.59 tonnes in FY21. Among the top-producing districts, per hectare yield was 13.91 tonnes in Natore, which was the highest. The figure was 13.52 tonnes in Bandarban, 12.5 tonnes in Naogaon, and 11.13 tonnes in Rajshahi.
Farmers and agriculture officials said the main reasons behind production decline were unsuitable weather and a lack of rain when it was needed.
They said farmers were switching to other crops in some districts while new trees had been planted after cutting down old ones in some places, leading to a production gap.
Md Rezaul Karim, additional director (Horticulture wing) of DAE, said most of the varieties having good yields in the previous year saw less production this time while Amrapali has been consistently giving the same yield for years.
Adverse weather was the main reason behind the decrease in production, he added.
Forecasting the possible production fall, DAE Additional Deputy Director in Rajshahi Uttam Kumar Kabiraj told The Business Post in May 2022 there was consistent rainfall from October 16 to 21 last year, which hampered production.
He said the soil must have begun to dry between late November and late January for the trees to come into bud in full swing.
“The roots, especially of old trees, remained wet at the time of budding while the soil infiltration rate was low in Rajshahi due to the soil structure. Due to soggy soil, there was 30 per cent less bud than the previous year,” he added.
Meanwhile, DAE Deputy Director in Chapainawabganj Palash Sarker said production went down in FY22 as it was considered an off year, meaning the previous year’s performance was good.
What farmers say
Farmers in both northern and southern districts said yields were less this year due to erratic rainfall.
Muntasir Mahmud, who cultivated mango in 11 orchards in Rajshahi, said he received 25-30 per cent less yield this time than the previous year.
“There was no rain when it was needed. On the other hand, there was excessive rainfall at a time when it could have harmed the flowers,” he explained.
Ruhul Amin Islam Liton, a mango farmer in Satkhira, also said he saw less production due to bad weather conditions. However, he is expecting a good yield in the next season as all his trees blossomed well this time.
