Citrus fruit market in Bangladesh

Earlier Report Observations

The citrus fruit market in Bangladesh began the period at 527.5 thousand tons in 2018, though South African exporters faced oversupply issues late that year, creating import disruptions. Market volume fell to 472.0 thousand tons in 2019, but rebounded sharply to 584.7 thousand tons in 2020. This surge was driven by heightened health awareness during the COVID-19 pandemic, which strengthened demand for imported fruits and pushed import volumes to nearly 300 thousand tons.

Market volume peaked at 641.1 thousand tons in 2021, supported by continued strong import levels. However, a turning point came in mid-2022 when the government imposed a 20% regulatory duty on fruit imports to conserve foreign exchange, later raising it to 30%. Coupled with a 31% depreciation of the Bangladeshi taka against the US dollar, these measures significantly increased import costs. Consequently, market volume contracted to 614.7 thousand tons in 2022 and further to 561.6 thousand tons in 2023, despite a noted surge in domestic citrus yield that year.

By 2024, import volumes remained subdued at 214 thousand tons, constrained by the high duties, persistent currency depreciation, and inflationary pressures above 10%. Authorities also began requiring importers to open letters of credit on a 100% margin after labeling fruits as luxury goods. Offsetting these import challenges, domestic initiatives gained momentum, including the Citrus Research Centre in Sylhet receiving advanced equipment to develop hybrid varieties and increased commercial farming in regions like Rajshahi.

Production citrus fruit in Bangladesh

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

Citrus fruit production in Bangladesh increased after a two-year decline. In 2020, production reached 285.6 K t, remaining relatively stable compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 11.5%, which translates to an annualized decline of 4.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 285.2 K t, with the largest year-over-year drop of 11.2% occurring that same year.

Annual dynamics of production in Bangladesh in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports citrus fruit from Bangladesh

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Bangladesh's cross-border shipments of citrus fruit totaled 0.5 K t, representing an 81.3% decrease compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bangladesh in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Bangladesh's citrus fruit exports in volume terms were India (48.9% of exports), Saudi Arabia (13.8%), and Belarus (10.1%). Together, these three countries accounted for 72.8% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Bangladesh in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of citrus fruit exports from Bangladesh amounted to 1.2 M $ US, reflecting a 55.0% decline compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bangladesh in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom (21.8% of exports by value), India (15.4%), and Saudi Arabia (13.8%) formed the primary group of destinations for Bangladesh's citrus fruit exports in monetary terms. Collectively, they represented 51.1% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Bangladesh in value, 2017-2020

Imports citrus fruit to Bangladesh

Imports in kind, K t

Citrus fruit imports to Bangladesh increased after a two-year decline. In 2020, imports reached 299.6 K t, marking a sharp 57.9% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 35.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.7%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 189.8 K t, while the largest decline of 8.0% occurred that same year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bangladesh in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for citrus fruit imports to Bangladesh in volume terms were India (31.7% of imports), South Africa (28.6%), and Uganda (14.1%). These three countries jointly accounted for 74.4% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Bangladesh in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Citrus fruit import volumes to Bangladesh increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 212.2 M $ US, showing an abrupt 60.7% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports surged by 130.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 32.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 91.4 M $ US, with the largest decline of 0.6% occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bangladesh in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over the 2017-2020 period, South Africa (30.6% of imports by value), India (21.9%), and China (17.5%) stood out as the main markets for citrus fruit imports to Bangladesh in monetary terms. Together, they represented 70.0% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Bangladesh in value, 2017-2020