Economics of production and export of vegetables in Bangladesh

Abstract

This study focuses on the performance of the production and export of selected exportable vegetables from an economic point of view. It aimed to determine the profitability and its determinants in the production of the non-traditional vegetable
French bean, and the traditional vegetables yard long bean and bitter gourd, and also that for the market participants in the export channel in Bangladesh. The empirical investigations include interviews of the vegetable producers, middlemen,
exporters in Bangladesh and importers in the UK, to cover the export marketing chain, and an opinion survey of Bangladeshi experts in this field. Two hundred and twenty four producers from eight villages in four districts (Rangpur, Camilla,
Tangail and Narshingdi), forty six middlemen in five markets (Dhaka, Rangpur, Comilla, Tangail and Narshingdi), forty exporters from Dhaka, and six importers in the London market were interviewed. Secondary data were also collected from
government, non-government, international organisations in Bangladesh and the UK and internet resources.
throughout the marketing chain, and the producers had least market power in comparison to the other market participants. This study also found that a large market potential for fresh vegetables appeared to exist in the UK market.
The study concluded that vegetable production is mostly taking place in a traditional way for local consumption, and exports mainly deal with relatively narrow niche markets. Contract farming, producers' training, the formation of a
cooperative society for the producers, increased production of quality seed, institutional support for organic farming, multipurpose cold storage and processing plant, cool chain management, development of a packaging industry, a code of
practice for the market participants, competitive airport costs, arrangements for private cargo flights and foreign airlines for air cargo space, and the establishment of a production and export-oriented, integrated organisation for fresh and processed
agro-products are among the recommendations for the government and the private sector to facilitate expansion into quality export markets and ensure the futuresuccess of this sector.

Date of Award	Jan 2006
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Wales, Bangor
Sponsors	Ministry of Agriculture, Bangladesh
Supervisor	Geoff Bright (Supervisor)