Jisan Al Jubair:

The food industry of Bangladesh is going through a technological transition that brings hope for development in agriculture and can boost the export of baking foods. Food businesses told Business Mirror that Bangladeshi food brands have gained larger production capacity, and they are looking for new markets across the world. More than 700 basic and processed food products are exported to more than 140 countries.

In Bangladesh, different organizations hold food fairs to facilitate food businesses. Bangladesh Agro-Processors’ Association (BAPA) and Rainbow Exhibition & Event Management Services Ltd. also jointly organized an expo recently in Dhaka, where a total of 200 outlets displayed their processed foods, food processing and packaging machinery, and food chemicals. Although the majority of the outlets were from abroad, the presence of Bangladeshi food entrepreneurs was remarkable.

The food industry adopts new technologies, invests more money to enter a speedy open market with local traditional foods, and creates quality supply chain management.

Deputy Export Manager of the Meghna Group of Industries, SK Humayun Ahmed, told Business Mirror, “Every year, we try to bring a new food product so that we can attract local people’s eyes as well as attention from foreigners. Our main target is to expand the export market for the food products of the MGI.”

Humayun Ahmed mentioned that the MGI welcomes new technologies to ensure safe processing and packaging, which makes it number one on the country’s food export list.

PRAN Group’s Export Executive Director, Mizanur Rahman, said, “PRAN Group’s export market made it 4th in the country. In this exhibition, our achievement is what we displayed for the business people who came from different countries.”

As a technological solution provider, China is popular for its pricing. Apart from this country, India, France, Germany, Austria, Japan, Turkiye, and other 13 countries also participate in the battle of capital machinery business.

Serena Xie, Sales Manager of SH Victory Star, came from China with their exhibition of food packaging machinery and said, “We came to Bangladesh for the first time with our food packaging machines, and we got positive responses from business people in Bangladesh and India.”

She also said, “We provide cutting-edge technology for the food industry.”We hope we will get a cozy business environment to provide services to new food business entrepreneurs. Also, we will embrace any local partnership here”.

Monoj Kumer, from Kerala, India, displayed different types of food colors extracted from South Asian spices that attracted bakers from different countries. Monoj, the Managing Director of Akay, said that we produce highly hygienic food chemicals and food colors that can be used in food without extra preservatives.”

A report from BIDA also shows that the agro-food processing sector employs about 40% of the labor force and contributes 16% to the country’s GDP. The food market covers fresh and processed food. The market is further differentiated into Dairy Products & Eggs, Meat, Fish & Seafood, Fruits & Nuts, Vegetables, Bread & Cereal Products, Oils & Fats, Sauces & Spices, Convenience Food, Spreads & Sweeteners, Confectionery & Snacks, Baby Food, and Pet Food. All market values are assessed at retail selling prices, including all sales taxes.

Maybe the food industry is also in a taste transition. The technological solutions displayed at the food expo were made for the international market. By using different kinds of flavors, cannes, and raw materials, Bangladesh would lose interest in local foods. However, the food market is expected to show a volume growth of 5.1% in 2024, according to Statista Market Insights.

BAPA works to protect, develop, support, and promote all measures and steps toward growing, producing, processing, manufacturing, and marketing at home and abroad all agricultural items, including fruits, vegetables, horticultural products, field crops, mushrooms, dairy, poultry, fisheries, etc.

BAPA stated, “Currently, members of BAPA are exporting to over 145 countries, and the export value in the last fiscal year was USD 460 million. We hope that the country can earn $2 billion from agro-processing exports by the year 2025.