Vegetables export in disarray

The untoward situation is learnt to have arisen after Biman authorities recently increased the freight rate by 25 per cent in one go. Though the authorities argue in favour of increasing the freight charges to make its operations 'cost-effective', the exporters are of the opinion that with the enhanced rate they would not be able to find any buyer. The stalemate has resulted in the suspension of export of vegetables, fruits and betel leaf to the markets in the Middle-East and Europe since 1 May.

Among the few produces of the country that fetch valuable foreign currency perishable vegetables and fruits feature quite prominently. According to one study, in the last fiscal the total volume of export was worth 45 million dollars. There is also a healthy growth rate as far as demand for these produces is concerned in various markets of the world. And Bangladesh Biman Airlines is the sole carrier of these perishable goods, as other airlines do not agree to carry such items.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

We feel it would not be too difficult to reach an amicable solution to end the impasse if the two parties can prepare the mindset and sit across the table to review the ground realities in a collective prospective. The looming threat of losing the markets to other countries should be the common concern to work out a solution.