Bangladesh is seeing steady growth in exotic fruit cultivation, with farmers increasing production volumes and diversifying crop choices. Data from the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) shows output rising from 146,922 tons in FY 2022-23 to 168,577 tons in FY 2023-24. Cultivated land expanded from 15,431 to 16,568 hectares in the same period.
Nadira Khanam, Deputy Director of the Horticulture Wing at the DAE, said, "We're encouraging farmers to cultivate exotic fruits to meet growing domestic demand and reduce our dependence on fruit imports." She added that Bangladesh's climate supports a wide range of tropical exotics and that consumption growth is driving diversification.
Farmers are shifting from traditional crops to fruit farming. In Narsingdi, Akram Hossen reported earning about US$850 this year from rambutan cultivation and expects more than US$2,100 next year. He noted that farmgate prices range between US$8.50 and US$10.20 per kg, rising to US$12–14 in retail markets.
In Natore, Selim Reza, head of Dristanta Agro Farm and Nursery, cultivates dragon fruit on 13–14 bighas and is expanding into avocado and rambutan. "I'm now focusing on avocado farming; it's proving to be more viable in our local climate," he said. Reza explained that with the right varieties, farmers can earn US$1,700–4,200 per bigha from dragon fruit.
In Dinajpur, Mohammad Nazrul Islam shifted from paddy and maize to oranges and sweet oranges on 72 decimals of land, earning about US$1,700 last year. "The switch was driven by better returns and lower risks," he said.
Hilly districts such as Khagrachari, Rangamati, and Bandarban now account for one-fifth of Bangladesh's dragon fruit output. In FY 2022, Rangamati produced 10,729 tons of sweet oranges on 1,179 hectares. Dragon fruits in Bandarban are sold locally at US$0.68–0.85 per kg before being transported to major cities, including Chattogram, Cumilla, and Dhaka.
Farmers in these regions highlight marketing challenges. Rabiul Karim of Natore said, "Production is rising, but better marketing systems are needed to ensure fair prices for growers."
Despite local expansion, imports remain high. Fruit imports rose from 300,000 tons in FY 2020 to 616,000 tons in FY 2023. According to the DAE, 77% of imports are apples and sweet oranges, with 94% sourced from China, India, South Africa, Egypt, Bhutan, and Brazil.
Horticulturist Moynul Huq of the DAE said interest in farming is also growing among younger, educated people. The government aims to expand both native and exotic fruit cultivation to reduce the annual US$280 million cost of fruit imports and improve domestic supply.
Source: BSS News