Bangladesh's Mango Mania: A Sweet Opportunity for the UK Market

Doha Festival Underscores UK's Untapped Mango Craze

The ongoing Bangladeshi Mangoes Festival (Al Hamba Exhibition) at Souq Waqif in Qatar is proving to be a phenomenal success, not just for its impressive sales but also for inadvertently highlighting a significant, yet largely unexplored, market for Bangladesh's renowned fruit: the United Kingdom. With robust sales and thousands of eager visitors in Doha, the festival clearly demonstrates the immense appeal of Bangladesh's diverse and high-quality mango varieties, a category that remains largely underrepresented in British supermarkets.

In its first three days, the "Al Hamba Exhibition," which continues until July 1st, achieved remarkable sales, exceeding 29 tonnes of mangoes. A staggering 31,700 visitors flocked to Souq Waqif, eager to experience the exquisite taste of Bangladeshi mangoes. Sales on the inaugural day reached 8,700 kg, followed by 11,300 kg on the second day and 9,700 kg on the third, culminating in a total of 29,700 kg. Visitor numbers steadily climbed, from 7,000 on the first day to 12,200 and 12,500 on the subsequent days, reflecting a consistently strong and growing demand for the produce.

Jointly organized by the Private Engineering Office (PEO) and the Embassy of Bangladesh, the festival proudly showcases over 20 distinguished Bangladeshi mango varieties, including popular choices like Amrapali, Langra, Katimon, Khirsapat, and Himashagor. Beyond mangoes, the exhibition also offers other fresh fruits, such as litchi, jackfruit, and pineapple, all flown directly from Bangladesh. Many exhibitors have travelled from Bangladesh specifically for this event, ensuring the highest quality produce is available to consumers. This commitment to freshness is further supported by specialized flights and well-maintained cooling systems within the exhibition tent.

A Million-Pound Opportunity Awaiting in the UK

The resounding success of the Doha festival serves as a compelling indicator of the vast export potential for Bangladeshi mangoes. While Qatar has proven to be a receptive market, the United Kingdom represents an even larger, currently underserved, and potentially highly lucrative opportunity. The presence of a significant Bangladeshi diaspora in the UK, coupled with a broader British consumer base increasingly seeking exotic and high-quality fresh produce, points to a strong underlying demand. However, the current availability of premium Bangladeshi mangoes in UK supermarkets remains surprisingly low.

Capitalizing on this dormant demand could unlock millions of pounds in annual export revenue for Bangladesh. To achieve this, a well-coordinated and comprehensive export strategy would be essential. This strategy should encompass:

Establishing Efficient Supply Chains: Developing reliable logistics, particularly air freight, to ensure mangoes reach the UK in optimal condition while addressing the challenges of rising air freight costs.

Adhering to International Standards: Ensuring strict compliance with global food safety and quality regulations, including obtaining necessary certifications for UK market entry, and addressing issues such as fruit flies and pesticide residues. Bangladesh is already working on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certified orchards, which is a positive step.

Strategic Marketing and Distribution: Forging strong partnerships with UK distributors and retailers, and implementing targeted marketing campaigns to raise consumer awareness and drive demand for the unique taste and quality of Bangladeshi mangoes.

Investing in Infrastructure: Providing support to Bangladeshi farmers and exporters through improved access to modern packaging, efficient cold storage facilities to extend shelf life, and advanced processing capabilities.

Bangladesh already aims to export 4,000 tonnes of mangoes in the coming months, with the UK identified as the single largest destination. The varieties typically exported include Gopalbhog, Himsagor, and Lengra. The collaborative spirit demonstrated by the PEO and the Embassy of Bangladesh in organizing the Doha festival offers a valuable blueprint for similar partnerships focused on penetrating the UK market. This is more than just a trade opportunity; it's a chance for Bangladesh to showcase its agricultural prowess on a global stage and secure a significant source of foreign exchange. The sweet taste of Bangladeshi mangoes, so enthusiastically received in Qatar, is undoubtedly poised for success in the United Kingdom.