Strong demand abroad pushes agro exports up 64pc in early FY26

Business Report :

Bangladesh’s exports of vegetables, fruits, and spices are showing strong growth, having already crossed the $100 million mark in foreign exchange earnings during the first four months of the current fiscal year, analysts say.

According to data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), exports of the three agricultural products earned $102.48 million in the July-October period of FY26, a 64 per cent increase compared with the same period last fiscal year. Analysts and exporters are optimistic that earnings will continue to rise as demand for Bangladeshi products grows in Middle Eastern and European markets.

In the corresponding period of FY25, vegetable, fruit, and spice exports fetched $62.35 million, while the earnings were $77.06 million in FY24 and $27.47 million in FY23. Among the trio, fruit exports are performing especially well, showing the fastest growth. Exporters shipped $50.08 million worth of fruits, including mangoes and jackfruit, between July and October of FY26. This compares with only $0.18 million in FY23, $5.06 million in FY24, and $21.35 million in FY25.
Volatile vegetable exports earned $31.94 million during the period, up from $21.70 million in FY25 but lower than the $55.95 million in FY24. Spice exports rose to $20.46 million, up from $19.30 million in FY25, $16.05 million in FY24, and $12.03 million in FY23.

Mohammad Monsur, general secretary of the Bangladesh Fruits, Vegetables and Allied Products Exporter Association (BFVAPEA), told the media that the rise in exports this fiscal year is largely due to improved supply capacity. “Over the last couple of years, air freight charges have remained high. This year, they have decreased somewhat, which has benefited exporters,” he said. He added that demand in overseas markets, particularly in Europe and the Middle East, remains strong and called on the government to procure cargo aircraft for Biman Bangladesh and formulate an air freight policy to ensure reasonable shipping rates.

Towfiqul Islam Khan, Additional Director of Research at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), told the media that Bangladesh needs to expand agricultural productivity to increase export earnings. “If productivity rises, local demand can be met and the export basket will widen,” he said, adding that maintaining quality and standards is essential. “Growing our agricultural exports benefits both the country and local farmers,” he noted.