BADC opens country’s first vapour heat treatment plant
In a significant push to expand Bangladesh's agricultural exports, Agriculture and Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid today inaugurated the country's first Vapour Heat Treatment plant at the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation campus in Gabtoli, Dhaka.
The Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation established the plant to ensure agricultural products meet export standards by using vapour heat treatment to eliminate fruit flies and pathogens, according to a press release.
Agriculture Secretary Dr Rafiq E Mohamed, Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation Chairman Md Azizul Islam, heads of other agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture, as well as farmers and exporters, attended the inauguration ceremony on Monday, 6 July 2026.
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At a discussion following the inauguration, Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid described the Vapour Heat Treatment plant as a milestone in Bangladesh's efforts to increase exports of mangoes and other fresh agricultural products.
"Today marks a new chapter for Bangladesh's agricultural exports. It enables us to export mangoes and other agricultural products free from fruit flies and pathogens to the global market," he said.
He noted that mango exports are expected to increase significantly in the near future. Praising the quality of Bangladeshi mangoes, Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid said they are both flavourful and visually appealing.
He urged all exporting organisations to maintain strict quality standards in line with buyer requirements and to honour supply commitments.
The minister reiterated the government's commitment to comprehensive measures to develop agriculture and improve farmers' welfare, in keeping with its electoral pledges.
He added that exporting mangoes and other agricultural products treated through the Vapour Heat Treatment process to the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Germany, Japan, the United States and other countries would further strengthen Bangladesh's position in international markets.
The minister called on farmers and exporters to work collaboratively to boost agricultural exports and support government initiatives toward a smart and modern agricultural system.
Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation said the Vapour Heat Treatment plant has already commenced full-scale operations. To date, 11 metric tonnes of mangoes have been treated, with six metric tonnes exported via exporters.
The plant was established under a project to increase exports of mangoes and other fresh agricultural products through vapour heat treatment.
According to the press release, the facility is expected to play a key role in removing phytosanitary barriers and enhancing the export potential of Bangladeshi agricultural products.
