EXPORT PRODUCTS AND AGRICULTURE OF

BANGLADESH

TRUSHA HASAN
Class: III Section: B
Bangladesh International Tutorial
February 22, 2016

Table of Contents
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Topics
Introduction
Export Products of Bangladesh
Jute/Green Jute/Jute Goods
Ready Made Garments
Tea
Leather and Leather Goods
Frozen Fish and Shrimps
Frozen Foods
Chemicals
Ceramics
Pharmaceuticals
Crafts
Spices
Tobacco, Betel Leaf, Betel Nuts
Agriculture of Bangladesh
Rice, Jute, Tea, Wheat
Sugarcane, Potatoes, Maize
Pulses, Grams, Beans, Peas
Vegetables
Fruits
Oil Seeds
Spices
Tobacco, Betel Leaf, Betel Nuts
Poultry
Dairy
Apiculture (Producing Honey
Pisciculture (Fish Cultivation)
Sericulture (Producing Silk)
Conclusion

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List of Figures
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Subject
Raw Jute
Ready-Made Garments
Tea Garden
Leather Products
Frozen Fish and Shrimps
Frozen Fruits and Meat
Hydrogen Peroxide
Ceramics
Drugs
Crafts
Spices
Tobacco Products
Betel Leaf and Betel Nuts
Rice Plant
Jute Plant
Tea Plant
Wheat Plant
Sugarcanes Plant
Potatoes Plant
Maize Plant
Vegetables
Fruits
Mustard Field
Spices
Tobacco
Betel Leaf Plant and Betel Nuts
Poultry Farm
Dairy Farm
Apiculture
Pisciculture
Sericulture

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EXPORT PRODUCTS AND AGRICULTURE OF BANGLADESH

Introduction
1.
Like many other developing countries, Bangladesh relies quite
heavily on exports to provide for the needs of its densely populated nation.
Currently Bangladeshs main export items are garments, jute and juterelated goods, leather, frozen fish and seafood. In average annually the
country makes over $2,000 billion from export trade.
Bangladesh has a primarily agrarian economy. Agriculture sector plays
an important role in the overall economic development of Bangladesh
and it is regarded as the lifeline of Bangladesh economy. About 80%
people of the country are involved in agriculture sector. The countrys fertile
soil, ample water sources and the availability of cheap labor forces are the
main reason of such agricultural prosperity. Rice, jute and wheat are the
primary crops. Tea, oil seeds, vegetables, fruits, poultry, dairy and fishing
are the important agricultural products.
Export Products of Bangladesh
2.
Currently Bangladeshs main export items are garments, jute and
jute-related goods, leather, frozen fish and seafood. Just three years ago
the country made over $2,000 billion from export trade. The majority of the
countrys trade is conducted with the USA but a small portion of exports
also sees its way to Germany, UK, France and Italy. The main export
products are discussed below:
3.

Jute/Green Jute/Jute Goods

Bangladesh is the largest producer of quality raw jute in the world and the
best manufacturer of jute goods in the world. Bangladesh export jute and
jute products like mats, various kinds of jute bags and jute packaging bags,
jute handicrafts, slippers, shopping bags, wine bottle bags, sling bags, jute
stationery, floor runners, panels, and lots more.
3

Bangladesh is the largest exporter of raw jute. The country produces and
exports all types of jute sacks and hessian cloth which used for packing
industries.

Figure-01: Raw Jute

4.

Ready Made Garments

the Ready-Made Garments (RMG) sector has emerged as the biggest

earner of foreign currency. The RMG sector has experienced an
exponential growth since the 1980s. The sector contributes significantly to
the GDP. It also provides employment to around 4.2 million Bangladeshis,
mainly women from low income families.

Figure-02: Ready-Made Garments

Figure-03: Tea Garden

5.

Tea

Tea is the second main export oriented cash crop of Bangladesh. Tea is
mostly cultivated in the hill tracks of northeast portion of Bangladesh.
Moderate height and slope of the hill tracks as well as heavy rain fall make
this area suitable for production of premium quality tea in Bangladesh.
Besides, a considerable quantity of tea is cultivated in the hill tracks of
northwest and southeast portion of Bangladesh. Tea sector contributes
about 1% of the total GDP in Bangladesh.
6.

Leather and Leather Goods

Today the leather sector is a major industry in the country. The leather
industry is composed of a broad category of products like finished leather,
footwear and other leather goods. A good number of tanneries have been
modernized in the last decade for producing quality finished leather. The
basis of this sector is the domestic supply of rawhides and skins of goat,
cow and buffalo. A considerable amount of the leather products are
exported to overseas markets, which has contributed towards the economic
development of this sector as one of the major foreign exchange earners.

Figure-04: Leather Products

7.

Frozen Fish and Shrimps

Frozen food is the second largest export sector of the economy. The
massive natural resources available in Bangladesh make this sector
particularly promising for investors looking to supply in international as well
as in domestic markets. Export of frozen food is earning about 400 millions
of foreign currency yearly which is about 3% of total export and contributing
3.78% in GDP. Shrimp contains more than 80% of frozen food item.
Bangladesh captured 25% of world shrimp market. A significant area in the
southern part of the country is under cultivation of shrimp culture.

Figure-05: Frozen Fish (left) and Shrimps (right)

8.

Frozen Foods

Following a period of strong investment in technology, processes and

regulation the frozen foods sector has flourished and earned itself an
excellent reputation with trading partners. The city dwellers and households
are progressively adapting to frozen foods (not only protein- like fish and
meats but also vegetables as well). For Bangladesh plausible lucrative
export destinations are USA, Canada, Australia, Middle-East and Europe.

Figure-06: Frozen Fruits (left) and Frozen Meat (right)

9.

Chemicals

Bangladesh has turned into a textile chemical exporter from importer in

recent years thus helping the country in earning millions of foreign
currency. Presently, the country is exporting hydrogen peroxide, a major
chemical used in the bleaching and sterilizing process in textile and paper
and pulp industries, to half a dozen countries including India, Nepal,
Malaysia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

10.

Ceramics

In recent years ceramic industries in Bangladesh has grown up in a large

extent. It is playing a great role on country's export earnings. The quality of
Bangladeshi ceramic products fascinated the international customers.
Hence there is a great opportunities to invest in this sector. Bangladesh
exports ceramic products to about 50 countries including USA, UK, Italy,
Germany, France, Spain, Norway, Sweden, Turkey, Poland, Australia, New
Zealand, Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Chile.

Figure-07: Hydrogen Peroxide

Figure-08: Ceramics
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11.

Pharmaceuticals

The pharmaceutical industry in Bangladesh is one of the most developed

technology sectors within Bangladesh. Manufacturers produce insulin,
hormones, and cancer drugs. This sector provides 97% of the total
medicinal requirement of the local market. The industry also exports
medicines to global markets, including Europe.

Figure-09: Drugs

12.

Crafts

Production of crafts in Bangladesh is a long-standing tradition that

has turned into a profitable business, benefiting vast numbers of producers,
retailers and exporters throughout the country. The most popular exported
crafts include basketry, jute-diversified products (JDP), rugs and mats. In
2007, the export volume of Basketry and JDP was about USD 6.5 million
and USD 8 million respectively. More than 150,000 people are involved in
this sector as producers and suppliers, 80% of them are poor women as
artisans. Craft exporters in Bangladesh are experiencing steady growth
in sales to Japan, the European Union and the USA.

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Figure-10: Crafts

Figure-11: Spices

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13.

Spices

Bangladesh is the land of six seasons where different spices grow in

different seasons round the year. The demandable spices that grow in
Bangladesh are Turmeric (organic base), Red Chili, Sesame (black, white,
brown and red), Coriander Seed, Black Cumin Seed, Cumin Seed (sweet),
Fenugreek Seed, Fenugreek Leaf, Cashew Nut, Terminalia Chebula,
Vinegar, Holyba Sil, Coconut, Almond, Tarmarind, Neem Leaf etc. Those
are supplied in whole and powder form. Before export all those spices are
processed properly without any additives.
14.

Tobacco, Betel Leaf, Betel Nuts

Bangladesh is one of the largest tobacco consuming countries in the world.

Over 58% of men and 29% of women use some form of tobacco, whether
smoked (both cigarettes and bidis) or smokeless. Tobacco is grown
throughout the country with the largest tobacco growing areas include
Rangpur, Kushtia, and Chittagong Hill. After many years as a net importer
of tobacco leaf Bangladesh has become a net exporter in recent times,
exporting about one-third of the tobacco grown.

Figure-12: Tobacco Products

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Figure-13: Betel Leaf (left) and Betel Nuts (right)

Bangladesh exports betel leaves and betel nuts to many countries of Asia
and Europe including India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates,
England, Italy and Germany. Export quality betel leaves are grown in the
districts of Natore, Kushtia, Rajshahi, Barisal, Khulna and Chuadanga.
Bangladesh started exporting of betel leaves and betel nuts to Europe in
1974-75 and to Saudi Arabia in 1991. Basically betel leaves and betel nuts
is purchased and consumed by Bangladeshi, Indian and Pakistani
expatriates living in those countries.

Agriculture of Bangladesh
15. Agriculture is the single largest producing sector of the economy
since it comprises about 18.6% of the country's GDP and employs around
45% of the total labor force. It is also an important social sector concerned
with issues like food and nutritional security, income generation, and
poverty reduction. The main agricultural products are discussed below:

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16.

Rice, Jute, Tea, Wheat

Rice is the staple food of the people of Bangladesh. Three types of paddy
namely Aus, Aman and Boro are produced in this country. The production
of rice can be harvested 2 or even 3 times a year. Bangladesh is the fourth
largest rice producing country in the world.

Figure-14: Rice Plant

Jute, often called the "golden fibre" of Bangladesh, is the main exportearner for Bangladeshi agriculture, as Bangladesh remains the world's
second-largest producer of jute (after India) and the world's largest exporter
of fiber. Jute is traditionally used for the fiber of carpet backing, burlap
bags, cheap paper, and various other purposes. Jute production is confined
mainly to the low-lying areas of the Brahmaputra-Jamuna and Padma
floodplains.

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Figure-15: Jute Plant

Figure-16: Tea Plant

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Bangladesh also produces tea leaves, mainly for export, although the
export of this product contributes only 1 percent of the country's hard
currency earnings. Tea comes second as an export crop. It is mainly grown
in the hills of Maulvi Bazar district and small areas of Habiganj, Sylhet,
Chittagong, and Cox's Bazar districts.

Although rice and jute are the primary crops, wheat is assuming greater
importance. Next to rice, wheat is the most important crop in Bangladesh. It
is grown mainly in the drier parts of the north and is cultivated only as a
winter crop. The production of wheat reached about 9 million metric tons in
2005-2006. Wheat plays an important role in achieving self-sufficiency in
food production. However, due to weather conditions the production of
wheat fluctuate greatly, forcing Bangladesh to import wheat from the
international market.

Figure-17: Wheat Plant

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17.

Sugarcane, Potatoes, Maize

Sugar-cane is an important food-crop of our country. It is a great source of

glucose. People like the juice of sugar-cane very much. Molasses and
sugar are made from sugar-cane. It grows best in Rajshahi, Natore,
Mymenshingh, rangpur, Dinajpur, Jessore, Kustia and Chuadanga districts.

Figure-18: Sugarcane Plant

Potato is the most important of the winter vegetables and is widely grown.
At present it grows plenty in Munshiganj, Comilla, Rajshahi, Rangpur,
Dinajpur, Bogra, Joypurhat and Nilphamari districts.

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Figure-19: Potatoes

Maize is now considered as a substitute for both rice and wheat since it can
be grown in all seasons. From maize one may get food, oil, fuel, fodder and
poultry feed. Cultivation of maize gets popularity in the northern part of
Bangladesh.

Figure-20: Maize Plant

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18.

Pulses, Grams, Beans, Peas

Masur (lentil) and khesari (chickling vetch) are the two important varieties
of pulses produced in Bangladesh. Masur is mainly grown in the Gangetic
delta while khesari is a well-scattered crop in the islands and chars (any
accretion in the riverbed, usually sandy islands).
Gram, black gram, beans and green pea are produced to a certain extent in
every district. Nawabganj has the largest share in maskalai (black gram)
cultivation.

Figure-20: Pulses, Grams, Beans and Peas

19.

Vegetables

Among vegetables, onion, garlic and brinjal are mostly grown as kitchen
gardens in every district while Patuakhali and Bhola are generally leading
in sweet potato cultivation. Commonly cultivated vegetables are cabbage,
cauliflower, brinjal, tomato, carrot, turnip, radish, spinach, lettuce, bottle
gourd, country bean, garden pea, lady's finger, red amaranths, amaranths,
sweet gourd, ash gourd, bitter gourd, squash, palwal, snake gourd, teasle
gourd, yardlong bean etc.
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Figure-21: Vegetables

20.

Fruits

Bangladesh abounds with a large variety of tropical and sub-tropical fruits.

Among fruits, banana, mango, coconut, and jackfruit are generally grown
around homesteads almost throughout Bangladesh, while pineapple is the
most common around Maulvi Bazar, Rangamati, Tangail, Khagrachhari and
Bandarban districts. The most widely cultivated fruits are mango, jackfruit,
black berry, pineapple, banana, litchi, lemon, guava, custard apple, wood
apple, elephant apple, golden apple, Indian berry, papaya, tamarind,
melon, watermelon, cashew nut, pomegranate, palmyra, plum, rose apple,
olive, and jujube.

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Figure-22: Fruits

21.

Oil Seeds

The major oilseed crops grown in Bangladesh are mustard, sesame,

groundnut and linseed. The minor oil crops are niger, soybean, sunflower,
safflower and castor. The major contribution of oil comes from mustard
(65%) followed by sesame (10.71%) and groundnut (invisible oil10.5%)
Mustard is the principal oil crop in Bangladesh. It is grown mainly in the
low-lying areas of Brahmaputra-Jamuna and Meghna floodplains.

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Figure-23: Mustard Field

22.

Spices

Commonly cultivated spices are green chili, ginger, turmeric, onion, garlic,
coriander, sweet cumin, black cumin, and fenugreek. Although chilli is
produced to a certain extent in every district of the country, the cultivation is
mainly concentrated in the southern districts including Bogra, Sirajganj and
Pabna.

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Figure-24: Spices

23.

Tobacco, Betel Leaf, Betel Nuts

After the liberation war in 1971 tobacco cultivation was mostly sponsored
by the British American Tobacco Company in Teesta silt in Rangpur area.
Three varieties of tobacco i.e Jati, Motihari and Virginia are grown in
different districts of Bangladesh. Jati and Motihari are mostly grown in
Rangpur and Bandarban, while Virginia is mostly grown in Kushtia,
Rangpur, Jessore and Dhaka. Other varieties such as Burley are also
grown in limited quantities.

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Figure-25: Tobacco
Betel Leaf is one of the major economic sources of rural Bangladesh.
Dinajpur, Rangpur, Chittagong, Faridpur, Jessore, Narayanganj, Barisal
and Sylhet are the areas producing most betel.

Figure-26: Betel Leaf Plant (left) and Betel Nuts (right)

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24.

Poultry

There is a great market for commercial poultry farming in Bangladesh. And

it is already an established business opportunity. Poultry products like meat
and eggs are the main source of animal protein for Bangladeshi people.
Chickens are the common and mostly raised poultry birds of Bangladesh.
Along with chickens, raising some other poultry birds like quails, turkeys,
ducks, pigeons, peacocks etc. are also gaining popularity day by day.

Figure-27: Poultry Farm

25.

Dairy

Livestock is an essential component of the rural economy and the

livelihood of the subsistence farmers in Bangladesh. Animal production is a
very important facet of agriculture and milk production is one of the most
important economic activities in Bangladesh, providing 3.6 million
households with supplementary income. The dairy system in Bangladesh is

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characterized by small-scale operations, coupled with crops and other offfarm activities. Several government, NGO and private sector initiatives
have made progress in transforming dairy into a more value-driven and
market-oriented sector. The dairy market in Bangladesh is lucrative for
investors given the countrys large population, rising incomes and evolving
diet.

Figure-28: Dairy Farm

26.

Apiculture (Producing Honey)

Commercial practice of bee-keeping in Bangladesh is still in its infancy.

There is no statistics of annual honey production recorded by the
beekeepers of Bangladesh. However, the honeybee's chief value lies in its
ability to pollinate over 60 agricultural crops and thus increase the
production of fruits and seeds. The best known honey in Bangladesh is
Mustard honey. Mustard is grown in many districts of Bangladesh as an
oilseed crop. Drum Stick, Zizyphus jujuba, mango, and various other
vegetables, fruits, forest and crop plants are also good nectar-producing

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sources. Apiculture can be a good source of earning which can yield large
amount of honey with enhanced crop, vegetable and fruit production.

Figure-29: Apiculture

27.

Pisciculture (Fish Cultivation)

Pisciculture in Bangladesh is playing an important role to the total national

income of this country. Bangladesh is surrounded by rivers and various
types of water sources like pond, stream, lake etc. Major parts of the total
population of this country are directly or indirectly involved with fish or fish
related business. Especially, most of the people of the southern part of the
country are directly engaged with pisciculture. Khulna, Barisal, Bagerhat,
Satkhira etc. are considered to be the best places for pisciculture in
Bangladesh.

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Figure-30: Pisciculture

Fisheries is one of the major sub-sector in the agricultural sectors and

plays a vital role in the socio-economic development of rural area, fulfilling
the animal protein demand, creating employment opportunity, alleviating
poverty and earning foreign exchange for the country.

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28.

Sericulture (Producing Silk)

Silk is one of the agricultural products and national wealth in Bangladesh.

The country earns a lot of foreign currency by cultivating silkworm. As an
agro-based industry sericulture holds out a great deal of prospects in
Bangladesh. Since British period, silk production occurs in Rajshahi zone
as British Government selected the Rajshahi zone for cultivation of
mulberry tree, because the weather and soil are suitable for mulberry tree,
without which sericulture would not be possible, as the Bombyx mori
silkworm feeds exclusively on mulberry leaves. Bangladesh currently
produces about 30 to 32 tons of raw silk even though the total demand for
raw silk in the country is around 200 tons. There lies a huge potential in silk
sector in terms of generation of employment and income.

Figure-31: Sericulture

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Conclusion
29. Export growth has significantly increased economic growth of
Bangladesh. The economy is increasingly led by export-oriented
industrialization. The Bangladesh textile industry is the second-largest in
the world. Other key sectors include pharmaceuticals, ceramics, leather
goods, tea and frozen fish.
Bangladesh is mainly called an agricultural country. Most of the people of
the country are directly or indirectly involved in agricultural related activities
to earn their livelihood. Agriculture has a great contribution to the GDP of
Bangladesh. Besides these export products, the country is also engaged in
the production of rice, jute, tea, wheat, vegetables, fruits etc. Though yields
can at times be quite high, the country still faces widespread poverty and it
is struggling to free itself from this. Some progress has been made, but
there are still many people living below the breadline in Bangladesh.

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