Mangoes sweeten trade ties between China, Bangladesh

Market potential

Bangladesh is forecast to produce around 2.7 million tons of mangoes in 2025, with about 5,000 tons planned for export, according to the Bangladeshi government's Department of Agricultural Extension.

"The entry of Bangladeshi mangoes into the Chinese market will not only help expand the bilateral trade volume and improve trade imbalances, (but) more importantly, it reflects the mutually beneficial and win-win essence of our economic cooperation," said Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen.

Yao and Bangladeshi Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin, were at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, the nation's capital, to see the first mango shipment to China depart.

Yao expressed special thanks to Bangladesh's Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Agriculture, and Export Promotion Bureau for their contributions, which helped make the inaugural export a reality.

Grown in the fertile soils of the Ganges Delta, Bangladeshi mangoes represent green and high-quality agricultural products, Yao said. For Chinese consumers, the mangoes mean more diverse choices in their shopping baskets that will enhance people's well-being, Yao added.

For Bangladesh, the vast potential of the Chinese market will directly drive industrial upgrading in the mango sector, create more employment opportunities, and contribute to Bangladesh's socioeconomic development.

Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser to the Bangladeshi interim government, visited Beijing earlier this year, Yao said, and the export of Bangladeshi mangoes to China marks a concrete step in implementing the outcomes of that visit.

"I see strong and growing prospects for mango exports to China," said Razia Sultana, a Bangladeshi mango exporter.

The Chinese market has shown increasing demand for high-quality tropical fruits, and mangoes are gaining in popularity due to their flavor and nutritional value, said Sultana, proprietor of Global Trade Link, which exports premium-quality fresh fruits, vegetables, and spices worldwide. GTL is listed as a mango exporter to China.

"With China's large consumer base, rising middle class, and expanding interest in imported fruits, there is significant potential for growth," Sultana said.

However, she said success depends on meeting China's strict phytosanitary standards, ensuring consistent supply chains, and building strong distribution partnerships.

Sultana added that with the right strategy, China can become a key export destination for her country's mangoes in the coming years.

Bangladeshi fruits are known for their unique taste and organic cultivation methods, which can appeal to health-conscious Chinese consumers, she added.