Sylhet, Bangladesh, Aug. 3: Agricultural products grown in Bangladesh's Sylhet region continue to enjoy strong demand in the United Kingdom and other European Union countries, particularly among the Bangladeshi diaspora. However, the absence of a certified packing house in Sylhet is preventing exporters from capitalizing on the growing market despite existing export infrastructure.
Although a modern cargo complex has been built at Osmani International Airport to facilitate exports, agricultural shipments cannot be processed directly from Sylhet because they must first undergo quality inspection and packaging at the country's only designated packing house in Shyampur, Narayanganj. Exporters say the additional transportation, time, and costs have discouraged many businesses from continuing exports.
Industry representatives estimate that establishing a packing house in Sylhet could enable the region to export agricultural products worth around Tk 15 billion (approximately US$120 million) annually while boosting farm production and creating new employment opportunities.
Sylhet previously exported a wide range of fresh produce, including citrus fruits and vegetables, to the United Kingdom and other European destinations. The primary buyers remain Bangladeshi expatriates, who are willing to pay premium prices for produce from their home region because of its quality and taste.
Exporters say products such as Goalgadda beans, Naga chilli, Khasi betel leaves, Toikor, Defol, Forash, bean seeds, red-soil taro shoots and stems from Dakshin Surma, Jara lemons, Ada lemons, Satkara, oranges, maltas, pineapples, watermelons and Lukluki fruit have strong demand in the UK and across Europe. In addition to expatriate Bangladeshis, these products are also popular among South Asian consumers and are widely sold in ethnic supermarkets.
Business leaders noted that these products were once exported directly on Biman Bangladesh Airlines flights from Sylhet to London before being distributed to other European countries. However, exports were suspended nearly two decades ago after citrus fruits were found to be infected with citrus canker disease. Since then, exporters have been required to process shipments through the Shyampur packing house, making exports more expensive and less competitive.
Despite the resumption of direct Biman Bangladesh Airlines flights from Sylhet to London and Manchester, exporters say the lack of a local packing house remains the biggest obstacle to reviving agricultural exports from the region.
Mustafizur Rahman, president of the Jalalabad Vegetable and Frozen Fish Export Group, said agricultural products must be inspected, certified and packed under the supervision of the Department of Agricultural Extension before being stored at controlled temperatures for export.
"Using the packing house in Narayanganj significantly increases transportation costs and delays shipments. If a packing house is established in Sylhet, agricultural exports worth at least Tk 15 billion annually would be possible," he said.
Abdul Jabbar Jalil, former senior vice-president of the Sylhet Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said local businesses had even offered to finance the construction of a packing house themselves, but the proposal had not received government approval.
Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Sylhet, Md. Shamsuzzaman, said authorities have already identified land near Osmani International Airport for a packing house and discussed the project with the commerce ministry. Construction will begin once formal government approval is granted.
Osmani International Airport Director Hafiz Ahmed said all other export facilities are already available at the airport.
"Once the packing house is established, a wide range of agricultural products can be exported directly from Sylhet. It will strengthen trade and further connect the region with Bangladeshi communities living in the UK and other European Union countries," he said.
