Jackfruit, mango’s maiden sea travel: Water routes open new export windows
Exporters highlight the cost advantage of sea transport. While air shipment costs about Tk160 per kg, sending a 30–32 tonne container by sea costs Tk3.5–4 lakh, reducing the per kg cost to just Tk13–14.
Highlights:
- UAE, US, UK among first destinations for fruit shipments
- 39,141 kg of mangoes exported by sea in recent season
- Sea freight cuts export costs by up to 90%
- Transit delays remain a challenge for fruit quality
- Vegetable exports by sea grow 313% year-on-year
Bangladesh has for the first time exported mangoes and jackfruits by sea to the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and several European countries, marking a new step in the country's agricultural exports. Previously, these fruits were only exported by air.
According to the Chattogram Plant Quarantine Station, 39,141 kg of mangoes were shipped overseas in the recently concluded season.
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The highest share, 17,877 kg, went to the United Kingdom, followed by 14,580 kg to the UAE, 3,834 kg to the United States, 1,950 kg to Italy, 504 kg to Belgium, and 396 kg to Canada.
Md Shah Alam, deputy director of the Chattogram Plant Quarantine Centre (Seaport), said, "This is the first time mangoes have been exported by sea. Although the quality of the fresh mangoes sent to Dubai was a bit poor, there was no such problem with the frozen ones sent to other countries."
Mohammad Arifur Rahman, director of the Exportable Mango Production Project, said the quality of mangoes had improved in recent years due to farmer cooperation, making exports more feasible. However, he noted that long transit times by sea still pose challenges in preserving quality.
Jackfruit exports have also begun by sea.
Dhaka-based company Universe Style shipped 3,500 kg to Dubai in May, with the consignment arriving after 26 days instead of 12. Despite the longer journey, the quality of the fruit remained almost intact.
Exporters highlight the cost advantage of sea transport. While air shipment costs about Tk160 per kg, sending a 30–32 tonne container by sea costs Tk3.5–4 lakh, reducing the per kg cost to just Tk13–14.
However, the risk of quality deterioration remains, making modern storage and processing facilities crucial.
In the current season, 1,531 tonnes of jackfruit were exported, of which only 3.5 tonnes went by sea.
The rest were sent by air, mainly to the Middle East, the UK, France, Germany, Sweden, and Ireland. Demand is highest in the Middle East, where air transport continues to dominate due to speed.
Vegetable exports are also seeing significant growth.
The Chattogram Plant Quarantine Centre reported that in the 2024–25 fiscal year, 58,766 tonnes of vegetables were shipped by sea, a 313% increase from the previous year.
Between January and August 2025 alone, 55,704 tonnes were exported through Chattogram Port.
Potatoes accounted for the highest volume at 38,046 tonnes, followed by cabbage (15,636), green chilli (277), tomato (167), sweet pumpkin (698), and frozen vegetables (880).
Md Shah Alam said, "Although a huge amount of fruit and vegetables are produced in the country every year, only a small portion is exported due to a lack of processing facilities. If modern infrastructure, including a packing house, can be built, sea-based export will open up a new horizon."
Officials believe expanding sea-based exports will reduce costs, boost competitiveness, and help Bangladesh capture new international markets, provided investment in modern technology and infrastructure is prioritised.
