Despite a steady rise in mango cultivation and production across Bangladesh, farmers are growing increasingly frustrated as export volumes remain stagnant and well below potential. Although the country is in the peak mango season-popularly known as the “mango month”-growers say they are failing to benefit from the growing global demand for Bangladeshi mangoes due to weak export systems, market inefficiencies, and policy gaps.
Farmers and agriculture officials, speaking in reports compiled by The Daily Industry, said that while districts such as Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, and Naogaon are producing large quantities of export-quality mangoes, the lack of proper infrastructure and policy support is preventing Bangladesh from building a strong international mango market.
Export Gains Not Reaching Farmers: According to sources from the agriculture sector, Bangladesh produces mangoes worth over Tk 13,000 crore annually, with the potential to exceed Tk 25,000 crore if exports are properly structured and expanded.
Despite being among the world's top mango-producing countries-currently ranked seventh globally-Bangladesh holds less than 1% share in the $4.19 billion global mango export market.A farmer from Chapainawabganj was quoted as saying, “We are producing export-quality mangoes, but we do not get fair access to export channels. Middlemen in Dhaka take most of the profit.”
Farmers allege that export syndicates based in Dhaka bypass growers at the orchard level and instead purchase mangoes from wholesalers, reducing both quality control and farmer earnings.
Export Targets Far from Reality: Official data shows that around 30,000 metric tons of exportable mangoes are produced annually in Bangladesh, yet export targets remain far lower.In the current season, the export target is only 5,000 tons, but industry insiders say even this will not be fully achieved.
Export performance over the years shows slow and inconsistent growth:FY 2016-17: 309 tons, FY 2021-22: 1,767 tons, FY 2022-23: peak of 3,100 tons, FY 2023-24: dropped to 1,321 tons, FY 2024-25: target 5,000 tons, achieved only 2,121 tons.
Despite government initiatives such as the Export-Oriented Mango Production Project, results remain below expectations.The project includes farmer training, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), fruit bagging techniques, and linkage development between farmers and exporters.However, The Daily Industry sources noted that “training alone is not enough without infrastructure and logistics support.”
Structural Barriers in Export Chain: Experts say Bangladesh's mango export chain suffers from multiple weaknesses, including:Lack of cold chain logistics: Absence of temperature-controlled transport from orchards, High transportation cost (up to Tk 850 per kg from orchard to export hub), Weak packaging, grading, and standardisation systems, Limited GAP certification among farmers, Complex phytosanitary requirements
A mango exporter in Rajshahi told The Daily Industry, “Even if farmers produce quality mangoes, we lose competitiveness due to high transport costs and lack of refrigerated vehicles.”
Production Rising but Export Infrastructure Lagging: Despite export challenges, mango production continues to grow in key regions.Chapainawabganj: 469,000 tons from 37,498 hectares, Naogaon: 387,000 tons from 30,321 hectares, Rajshahi: 256,000 tons from 19,462 hectares.
However, export allocations remain extremely limited:Chapainawabganj: 250 tons exported, Naogaon: 100 tons exported, Previous Naogaon peak exports: 250 tons.National production trends show fluctuations:FY 2022-23: record 2.87 million tons, FY 2024-25: 2.66 million tons, FY 2025-26: 2.53 million tons, FY 2026-27 target: 2.66 million tons, Experts Call for Cold Chain and Policy Reform.
Scientific officers and agricultural experts say Bangladesh cannot expand mango exports without meeting international standards. Mo. Ridwanul Karim, Scientific Officer at the Rajshahi Regional Fruit Research Centre, told The Daily Industry, “Export mangoes must be free from spots and pests. Proper fruit bagging, thermal treatment, and GAP certification are mandatory.”
He added, “Farmers avoid these processes due to complexity. Export-oriented infrastructure in mango-growing regions is urgently needed.”
Government Support and Local Expectations: Agriculture officials acknowledge the production increase but admit export constraints remain significant. Papia Rahman, Additional Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension, Rajshahi, said, “Mango production in Rajshahi is expected to exceed targets this year. Some exports will take place, but the volume remains limited.”
She added that similar growth is expected in Natore district, where production is projected to exceed 68,000 tons.
Missed Opportunity for a High-Value Industry: Bangladesh's mango sector holds strong economic potential, with global demand rising and domestic production expanding. However, without modern logistics, fair market access, and structured export systems, farmers continue to lose out. As one grower summarized, “We are producing for the world, but the world is not reaching us.”
