After three years of efforts, mangoes have been exported to Russia from the Rajshahi region for the first time.
An Air Arabia flight departed from Dhaka carrying the mangoes destined for Russia on Saturday.
The exported mangoes included 200kg of Gourmoti and 100kg of Katimon varieties, totalling 300kg in the first consignment.
A Rajshahi-based farming company, MTB Agro and Garden, exported the mangoes.
MTB Agro and Garden's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mahtab Ali confirmed the shipment, noting that the mangoes were collected from an orchard in the Kundua village of the Nachol upazila of Chapainawabganj, belonging to a farmer named Nazim Uddin.
A Russian company called National Electric LLC imported the mangoes through the distribution department of MTB Agro and Garden, he added.
Mahtab Ali further said that exporting mangoes to Russia was challenging.
“After three years of attempts, we have finally achieved it,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to Bangladesh Ambassador to Russia Kamrul Ahsan and Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Vikentyevich Mantytskiy for their assistance.
"Both countries' embassies worked collaboratively to achieve this milestone. Ensuring the safe and healthy quality of mangoes, along with appropriate packaging, has enabled us to establish a brand image for the fruit," said Mahtab Ali.
Following Russia's mango import policy, last year, samples of Bangladeshi mangoes were tested at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) and subsequently sent to Russian authorities, he said.
After examining the samples, the Russian authorities granted permission for mango imports for the next five years, he added.
CEO Mahtab Ali expressed optimism about sending other varieties of mangoes, including the GI-tagged Khirsapati, to Russia next year.
Rajshahi Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) Additional Director Md Shamsul Wadud said mango exports are increasing annually but as countries importing mangoes have specific conditions, there can be delays in meeting them.
"We are always exploring new markets. Last year, at least 222 tons of mangoes were exported from Rajshahi, Naogaon, and Chapainawabganj. This year, exports from the Rajshahi region have exceeded 380 tons," he added.
