Bangladesh is a key market for orange exports from Vidarbha region of India. The exporters are facing challenges as Bangladesh has increased the import duty from Tk 88 per kg to Tk 101 per kg. Vidarbha is a major orange producing region in India with dedicated orange farming spread over 126000 hectares.
Vidarbha produces approximately 800,000 MT of oranges annually across two seasons. Bangladesh has been consistently increasing import duties over the past five years, which is adversely affecting local farmers and traders. The Indo-Bangla Orange Association (IBOA) has sought intervention from the Indian government, as the duty hikes threaten to reduce exports to Bangladesh from 25% to less than 15% of Vidarbha’s total orange production.
Vidarbha region exports around 60 truckloads of oranges on a regular daily basis to Bangladesh during the season, a number that has reportedly halved. Export statistics reveal a declining trend from over 141,000 MT in 2020-21 to an anticipated 25,000 MT in 2023-24.
