Indonesian envoy visits PRAN mango collection and pulping plant

Indonesian Ambassador to Bangladesh Listyowati has visited PRAN's mango collection and pulping factory at Barendra Industrial Park in Godagari, Rajshahi, as part of her visit to agro-processing factories in Bangladesh.

She visited PRAN's Barendra Industrial Park (BIP) on Wednesday and observed the company's mango collection, pulping and production activities.

Kamruzzaman Kamal, Marketing Director of PRAN-RFL Group, and Hazrat Ali, General Manager of the factory, welcomed the Indonesian ambassador to Barendra Industrial Park.

During the visit, she was briefed on PRAN's production processes and its marketing activities at home and abroad.

Later, Listyowati visited different production plants at Barendra Industrial Park.

During the visit, she inaugurated PRAN's mango collection and pulping activities and praised PRAN's modern production system.

She also highlighted the potential for further expansion of trade relations between Bangladesh and Indonesia, as well as increased cooperation in the agro-based industrial sector.

PRAN Group is conducting mango collection and pulping activities to produce mango drinks, juice, mango bars and various other food products.

In the current season, the company is collecting mangoes from Natore, Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, Naogaon, Dinajpur, Meherpur, Kushtia, Pabna, Sirajganj and Satkhira districts.

PRAN mainly collects Guti and Ashwina varieties of mangoes for pulp production.

Guti mangoes are being collected throughout June. Ashwina mangoes will be collected from July and will continue as long as supply remains available.

The pulp produced from mangoes is preserved in aseptic bags and stored in cold storage. The pulp is then used for juice production throughout the year.

In the current season, PRAN has set a target to collect 60,000 tonnes of mangoes from 12,000 contract farmers.

In addition to Rajshahi, PRAN Group is also conducting mango collection and pulping activities at the PRAN Agro Limited factory in Ekdala, Natore.

Kamruzzaman Kamal, Marketing Director of PRAN-RFL Group, said, "To ensure the best quality fruit drinks and juices for consumers, we give the highest importance to the quality of raw materials. That is why we have established collection and pulping factories in regions famous for mango production. This enables farmers to easily supply their produce."

According to industry insiders, the mango fruit drink and juice market in the country is worth approximately Tk1,500 crore and is growing at a rate of 10% annually.