Betel leaves export to Europe resumes as ban ends after 7 years

Bangladesh has resumed exporting betel leaves to Europe after more than a seven-year break for non-compliance.

The first consignment of one tonne of betel leaves was shipped for export on Wednesday.

The EU imposed a temporary ban on export of betel leaves from Bangladesh in February 2014 due to presence of harmful Salmonella bacteria in it and later, the ban was gradually extended to 2020. The EU imposed some conditions for betel leaves exports to Europe.

Later, the EU withdrew the ban on April 15, 2021 as Bangladesh fulfilled the conditions.

Before imposition of the ban, Bangladesh exported 18,780 tonnes of betel leaves in 2012-13 and 13,250 tonnes in 2013-14 years and estimated value of the betel leaves was $38 million and $30 million respectively.

Agriculture Minister Mohammad Abdur Razzaque inaugurated the resumption of betel leaves export at a programme at Shyampur in Dhaka on Wednesday morning.

Terming the resumption as outcome of the government’s tireless efforts, Razzeque said the government will continue its efforts so that this trend is not hampered anyhow in future.

The programme was organised by the Department of Agricultural Extension, Bangladesh Fruits Vegetables and Allied Products Exporters’ Association (BFVAPEA) and the Business Promotion Council of the Ministry of Commerce.

Syed Abu Hossain Babla, ruling party lawmaker, Senior Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture Md Mesbahul Islam, Senior Secretary of Ministry of Commerce Md Zafar Uddin and the President of Bangladesh Fruits Vegetables and Allied Products Exporters Association (BFVAPEA) Jahangir Hossain, among others, were present at the programme held at the Central Packaging House in Shyampur.