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 The
export sector within Bangladesh has grown to become an
increasingly significant component of national trade,
and has involved significant private sector investment
over the last decade. The connection of production
networks commonly involving small-scale producers, and
traditional market and distribution systems, to supply
raw materials for products meeting international
standards, offers particular management and logistic
challenges.
Shrimp Market
Shrimp is the leading fishery
commodity in the global seafood market with a turnover
of more than US $10 billion. Global shrimp exports
reached an all time high in 2000 having increased 11%
over the previous year. (Figure 20) Demand for shrimp is
increasing in the US and Europe (INFOFISH 2001),
according to whom recent food scares have had a positive
effect, particularly at food service level. Though the
Japanese market has slowed down, new markets have
emerged in Asia such as the Republic of Korea, Singapore
and Hong Kong. In 2001, Bangladesh achieved its ever
highest export earnings of Tk 18,851 M (US$ 32M by
exporting 29,719 mt shrimp. The growth in exports have
been consistent since the early 1970s, but for the
problems associated with identified health in 1997 and
2000.
Exports from Bangladesh are
primarily destined for the USA, followed by the UK and
Japan. The only other key importing country is Thailand.
Thailand largely imports product for re-export in
processed form. The diagram (Figure 21) shows slightly
changing patterns in export in the last 10 years, with
USA increasing its share on total sales. This should
also be seen in the context of a 150 % increase in
exports.
Tiger shrimps are more popular in
the US, but are also in demand in Europe. The UK,
Netherlands, Belgium and France have a high demand for
golda. Most products have traditionally been exported
for re-processing. However, an increasing number of
prawns are now IQF for direct sale and a small quantity
of shrimps are pre-cooked or de-veined. But, Bangladesh
has been facing problems in maintaining quality
standards in shrimp processing and have not been able to
expand further in marketing as shell-on tails products
are being replaced rapidly by peeled and cooked products
throughout the US markets. In 2000, most of the Asian
countries increased their shrimp export in the US market
except Bangladesh. Banning of consignment happened in
2002 following detection of pathogenic bacteria from a
shrimp lot exported from Bangladesh. It has become very
important for Bangladesh to improve its processing
industry to cope with emergent need of the international
shrimp market.
Other export commodities
The principal export commodities
are frozen fresh water fish (approximately 8-9,500 mt
exported per annum). Exports of these commodities are to
Bangladeshi expatriate communities in the UK, Middle
East and North America. Very small quantities of dried
and salted fish (around 200 mt per annum) are exported
to the same expatriate markets.
Turtles/crabs were identified as a
significant export up to mid 1990s. Turtle meat is no
longer traded. However, mud crabs represent an expanding
export opportunity. These crabs are either extracted
from the Sundarbans an added to polyculture ponds, or
are cultivated extensively along with shrimp. The Export
statistics for crab report a trade of 150 mt, when in
fact the output from shrimp farms alone accounts for
1,800 mt and production from the Sundarbans, around a
further 1,000 mt. therefore it is clear that exports of
this product are not being recorded. Crab is exported to
Malaysia and Singapore.
Source: Fisheries Sector Review and Future
Development
Theme study: Economic performance
June 2003, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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