Despite producing large quantities of export-quality mangoes in Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj and Naogaon for several consecutive years, Bangladesh has struggled to increase overseas shipments due to existing export policies and logistical constraints.
According to mango growers, export targets remain unmet, while limited exports bring little financial benefit to farmers. Most profits are captured by export syndicates based in Dhaka. Instead of purchasing directly from orchards, exporters often source mangoes from wholesale markets, they added.
Industry stakeholders believe the country's export potential cannot be fully realized without improving handling procedures from orchards to airports. Proper harvesting, cold storage, packaging, transportation and compliance with international standards remain major challenges.
To promote exports, the government has been implementing the "Exportable Mango Production Project" for several years. Under the initiative, farmers receive practical training on producing export-quality fruit through Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). They are also trained in fruit bagging technology, environmentally friendly cultivation methods and linked with exporters. Despite these efforts, export performance continues to fall short of expectations.
Bangladesh currently exports mangoes to 38 countries across Europe and the Middle East. Although farmers spend extra money to produce export-grade fruit, many fail to secure access to export markets. Growers estimate that around 30,000 tonnes of export-quality mangoes have been produced this season, while the official export target stands at only 5,000 tonnes. Even that target is unlikely to be achieved.
Shipments from Rajshahi region increased from 309 tonnes in the 2016-17 season to 1,767 tonnes five years later, reaching a record 3,100 tonnes in 2022-23. However, exports fell to 1,321 tonnes in 2023-24. Although the target for the 2024-25 season was 5,000 tonnes, only 2,121 tonnes were exported. Bangladesh's share of the global mango export market remains below 1%.
Chapainawabganj remains the country's leading mango-producing district this season, with an estimated 469,000 tonnes harvested from 37,498 hectares of orchards. About 250 tonnes are expected to be exported. Neighboring Naogaon is also expanding production, expecting 387,000 tonnes from 30,321 hectares, although exports are projected at only 100 tonnes after reaching as much as 250 tonnes in previous years. Rajshahi targets production of 256,000 tonnes from 19,062 hectares.
According to Department of Agricultural Extension, Bangladesh produced 2.66 million tonnes of mangoes from 205,205 hectares during the 2024-25 season. Production declined to 2.54 million tonnes in 2025-26 but is expected to recover to 2.67 million tonnes in the current 2026-27 season.
Experts say demand for Rajshahi mangoes is strong in overseas markets, but international competitiveness depends on proper harvesting, grading, storage, packaging and transport infrastructure, which remain inadequate.
Additional Deputy Director of Department of Agricultural Extension, Papiya Rahman, said mango production in Rajshahi is expected to exceed the official target this season, with a portion of the harvest likely to be exported.
In neighboring Natore, mango cultivation is also expanding. Although the district set a production target of 68,000 tonnes from 5,693 hectares, officials expect actual output to surpass the estimate.
Ridwanul Karim, Scientific Officer at Rajshahi Regional Fruit Research Centre, stresses that export-quality mangoes must be blemish-free, properly bagged, pest-free and treated in thermal facilities before shipment. He also emphasizes the need for stronger government support and export-oriented infrastructure in major mango-producing regions to unlock Bangladesh's export potential.
