Bangladesh Exports Mango to Russia for First Time

For the first time, a Rajshahi-based exporting company has shipped mangoes of the gourmati and katimon species to Russian markets.

On Saturday morning, 200 kilos of gourmati and 100 kilograms of katimon were loaded onto an Air Arabia G9-517 flight bound for Russia.

Mahtab Ali, the chief executive officer of MTB Agro and Garden, confirmed the information and stated that this is the first attempt to sell mangoes from Rajshahi to Russia. Also Russian are the purchasers.

He said the mangoes were collected from the orchard of Nazim Uddin of Kundua village under Nachole upazila in Chapainawabganj.

Mahtab Ali said gourmati and katimon mango varieties produced round the year but those were harvested in August and September for maximum profit. In time, the season of all other varieties ended.

He also said exporting mango to Russia was not so easy. "We were trying for the last three years and became successful overcoming all obstacles this year," he added.

Ali mentioned that they have become successful in the field of establishing a brand image of Bangladesh's mangoes through ensuring safe and healthy mangoes and appropriate packaging.

He also said the Russian authority has given permission for exporting mangoes for the next five years.

"We are very much optimistic of sending varieties of mangoes, including Khirsapat, next year," he added.

The Department of Agriculture Extension's Additional Director, Shamsul Wadud, stated that they are looking for new markets all over the world.

Mango exports from Rajshahi are progressively rising.

In the previous year, the districts of Rajshahi, Naogaon, and Chapainawabganj exported 222 tonnes of mangoes to various international markets.

According to him, the amount exceeded 380 tonnes this year.

Source: BSS