Following a six-and-a-half year ban, betel leaf exports to Europe have resumed. Agriculture Minister Dr Md Abdur Razzaque MP on Wednesday morning inaugurated the 'Safe and Quality Betel Leaf Export to Europe' programme at the Central Packing House in Shampur, Dhaka. The first consignment being exported is one metric ton.
Speaking as the chief guest on the occasion, the Minister said, “As a result of our relentless initiative, the export of Betel leaf to Europe has resumed which is very hopeful. The Ministry of Agriculture will continue its initiatives to ensure that the export of betel leaves is not hampered in the future.”
The event was organized by the Department of Agricultural Extension, Bangladesh Fruits Vegetables and Allied Products Exporters Association (BFVAPEA) and the Business Promotion Council of the Ministry of Commerce.
The Minister further said that there is a lot of potential for export of agricultural products. Efforts are underway to increase exports of other agricultural products to developed countries, including Europe, to harness that potential. Work has already started to implement the Good Agricultural Practice Policy (GAP) in the country.
Non-toxic vegetables are being produced all over the country through integrated pest management. Certification has started from Accredited Labs. In addition, work is underway to set up a vacuum heat treatment plant. As a result, we hope that agricultural products will play a huge role in increasing the country's exports and it will be possible to earn a lot of foreign exchange. Besides, farmers will also benefit, he added.
In February 2014, the EU imposed a temporary ban on betel leaf exports from Bangladesh due to the presence of harmful Salmonella bacteria in them which was gradually extended to 2020. And the EU imposed certain conditions on betel leaf exports including that they must be free of Salmonella bacteria, follow Good Agricultural Practice (GAP), Good Hygiene Practice (GAPP), Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) from production to shipment and Provide Salmonella bacteria free certificate from international standard accredited lab.
Bangladesh took many steps to fulfill the conditions imposed by the EU. These include betel cultivation area selection, contract farming, adoption and implementation of programmes in the light of good agricultural practices, monitoring, traceability, betel sample test, farmer selection and training, exporter's representative training, regular betel soil and water testing, export market. Safe and pest-free drink production guidelines etc.
The ban on betel exports was lifted on April 15, 2021, as Bangladesh was able to meet all the conditions imposed by EU on the export. As a result, the export of betel leaf from Bangladesh resumed on Wednesday.
Before the ban was imposed, 18,780 tonnes of betel leaf was exported in 2012-13 and 13,250 tonnes in 2013-14 which was worth USD 38 million and 30 million respectively.
Local MP Syed Abu Hossain Babla, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Md Mesbahul Islam, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Dr Md Zafar Uddin and President of BFVAPEA SM Jahangir Hossain, were present as special guests at the time.
Director General of the Department of Agricultural Extension Md Asadullah presided over the function. Additional Director of Plant Quarantine Wing of Department of Agricultural Extension Md Shamsul Alam, and Advisor of BFVAPEA Manjurul Islam highlighted the context of safe and quality betel production and export.