Per capita fruit consumption 85g against demand of 200g: Minister

Per capita fruit consumption has reached 85 grams a day while an adult needs 200 grams daily, Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque has said.

He made this remark at a view-exchange meeting with journalists as a part of the preparation of National Fruits Exhibition-2022 held at the Ministry of Agriculture at secretariat on Monday.

In 2006 per capita fruit consumption was 55 grams which increased to 85 grams now, the minister said.

The country produced 1.22 crore tonnes of fruits in the fiscal year 2020-21. In 2008-09 the total fruit production was 1 crore tonne. In 12 years, fruit production has increased by 22 per cent, he added.

“Our scientists have invented 65 species of fruits. Along with local fruits, importance has been given to strawberry, dragon fruit, avocado and other foreign fruits cultivation. Cashew nut and coffee cultivation is expanding in hilly areas and northern districts.”

Claiming the highest growth rate in the world in fruit production the minister said, “We are in second in jack fruit production, seventh in mango, eighth in guava and fourteenth in papaya production. Bangladesh secured its place in top 10 seasonal fruit productions.”

Now the country is producing 72 types of fruits. The number was 56 earlier.

In 2020-21, the country imported 8 lakh tonnes of fruits while it exported 790 tonnes of mangoes and eight tonnes of lychee. Apple, orange, malta and grape account for 85 per cent of the total fruit import.

National Fruits Exhibition-2022 on June 16

This year’s National Fruit Exhibition will be held at Krishibid Institution compound at Khamarbari. The fair will start on June 16. The three day-long fair will continue till June 18.

Abdur Razzaque said, “Post-harvest loss of fruits ranged from 25 to 41 per cent. Farmers, transporters, traders and processors - everyone - needs to be aware of post-harvest management and fruit processing.

The government organizes national fruit fair every year to create awareness.

Visitor will be able to know about technologies of fruit cultivation. They can buy fruit trees from the exhibition. The fair will remain open to all from 9am to 9pm.