Rajshahi s Mango Export Surges Amid Global Demand and New Cold Storage Facilitie

Rajshahi, Bangladesh – The northern division of Rajshahi, long celebrated as the mango capital of Bangladesh, is witnessing a significant surge in mango exports this season, driven by improved cold storage infrastructure and rising international demand. Local exporters and agricultural officials report that shipments to Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia have increased by nearly 30 percent compared to the same period last year, marking a milestone for the region’s horticulture sector.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Rajshahi, the district has produced an estimated 2.5 lakh metric tons of mangoes this year, with varieties such as Himsagar, Langra, and Fazli dominating orchards. The DAE’s deputy director, Md. Shahidul Islam, noted that favorable weather conditions and reduced pest attacks contributed to a bumper harvest. “Farmers have adopted better pruning and irrigation techniques, and the use of organic fertilizers has improved fruit quality,” he said in a statement.

A key driver of the export boom is the recent establishment of two modern cold storage facilities in the Rajshahi City Corporation area, with a combined capacity of 5,000 metric tons. These facilities, supported by a public-private partnership under the Bangladesh government’s “One District, One Product” initiative, allow exporters to store mangoes at controlled temperatures for up to 45 days, extending the fruit’s shelf life for sea freight. Previously, exporters relied primarily on air cargo, which was costly and limited volume.

“The new cold storages have transformed our business,” said Abdul Karim, a mango exporter based in Rajshahi’s Boalia thana. “We can now ship larger quantities to distant markets like the UK and Canada without worrying about spoilage. This season, we have already exported 200 tons to the European Union, and orders from Saudi Arabia and Malaysia are rising.” Karim added that the price for premium varieties has reached Tk 120 per kilogram in international markets, offering better returns for local growers.

The export surge also benefits small-scale farmers. In the remote char (river island) areas of Charghat and Bagha upazilas, farmers have formed cooperatives to pool their harvests and meet export-grade standards. Rina Begum, a farmer from Charghat, said her family’s income has doubled this year. “We used to sell at local markets for low prices, but now the cooperatives buy directly for export. We are learning to sort and pack properly,” she explained.

However, challenges remain. Exporters cite bureaucratic hurdles in obtaining phytosanitary certificates and delays at the Benapole land port, which handles a portion of mango exports to India and Nepal. The Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry has urged the government to establish a dedicated customs clearance desk for agricultural exports. Chamber President Abu Hena Mostafa Kamal said, “We need a single-window service to reduce paperwork. Every day of delay costs us freshness and market share.”

On the international front, Rajshahi mangoes are gaining recognition for their taste and low pesticide residue. The Bangladesh High Commission in London recently organized a tasting event for importers, which resulted in new contracts with two British supermarket chains. Meanwhile, the European Union’s stricter food safety regulations have prompted the DAE to train 500 farmers in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), including proper use of fungicides and post-harvest handling.

Looking ahead, the Rajshahi divisional commissioner’s office has announced plans to set up three more cold storage units and a mango processing plant in the next fiscal year. Officials hope to double export volumes by 2026 and reduce post-harvest losses, which currently stand at 15 percent. For now, the golden fruit of Rajshahi is carving a niche on the global map, one shipment at a time.