SOURCE: Jago News
Bangladesh’s golden fruit is getting a high-tech upgrade! In a major boost for agro-entrepreneurs and mango exporters, the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) has approved the construction of 10 state-of-the-art Hot Water Treatment (HWT) plants in Chapainawabganj, the heartland of Bangladesh’s famed Himsagar and Langra mangoes.
The decision, greenlit at the 148th EPB Board of Directors meeting chaired by the Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin, aims to catapult Bangladeshi mangoes onto the global stage by meeting strict international phytosanitary standards and slashing post-harvest losses.
To export fresh mangoes to lucrative markets like the USA, UK, EU, and the Middle East, fruits must undergo hot water treatment – a science-backed process that eliminates fruit flies and pests without chemicals.
This treatment is a mandatory gateway to premium markets, but until now, limited HWT capacity has held Bangladesh back.
Currently, the country relies on a central packing house in Shyampur, which is far from key mango orchards. Transporting delicate, freshly harvested mangoes over long distances increases costs, delays treatment, and reduces shelf life, making Bangladeshi mangoes less competitive against Indian and Thai exports.
“Time is the enemy of freshness,” said an EPB official. “By bringing HWT plants directly to Chapainawabganj, we’re cutting logistics costs, improving fruit quality, and making our mangoes price-competitive abroad.”
The new decentralised HWT units will be strategically located near mango clusters, enabling farmers and exporters to treat fruits within hours of harvest. This means: Longer shelf life, higher export quality, faster turnaround, lower costs, and more profits for growers.
The move follows a strong industry demand. In May, a high-level EPB delegation led by Vice-Chairman Md Anwar Hossain visited Chapainawabganj, where mango growers and the Chapainawabganj Chamber of Commerce & Mango Exporters Association made a united plea for localised HWT facilities.
Their message was clear: “We grow world-class mangoes. Now give us the tools to sell them like world-class exporters.”
With the necessary budget now approved, construction is expected to begin soon. Once operational, these 10 plants could increase mango exports by up to 40 per cent, opening doors to new markets and fetching better prices for Bangladesh’s summer gold.
“This isn’t just about treating mangoes,” said a trade expert. “It’s about treating Bangladesh’s agro-export potential with the seriousness it deserves.”