Cut flower exports decline amid growing local demands

Amid a significant increase in demand for cut flowers in the local market,  export earnings from this sector has sharply declined during the July to November period of the current fiscal (2019-20).

The export earnings for the period was only $0.01 million, which is a 99 per cent decline compared to the corresponding months of the last year.

According to a Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) statistics, the local market of flower and cut foliage has reached Tk 1,200 crore per annum.  

Due to the growing local demand, flower traders are showing less interest to export. Owing to the lack of a clear policy and support from the authorities concerned, the growers and exporters are losing interest in capturing foreign markets for cut flowers, said sources.

According to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data, the country earned only $0.01 million in the July to November of the current fiscal, which was $3.98 million in the same period last year.

The export earnings target from cut flower and foliage for the period was $3.17 million.

According to floriculture industry insiders, in line with the economic growth as any other industry, the flower sector is growing very fast, creating an opportunity for huge export earnings. But there is no policy and financial support for the sector, which is hindering the sector’s growth.

As an emerging sector, floral cultivators are facing problems in getting finance from financial institutions.  Additionally, the sector needs training on farming flowers which are high in monetary value, they said.

In order to boost export from the sector, the sector needs low cost credit in making investment to introduce modern technology, training, in constructing cold storage and to ensure supply of quality and new varieties of seeds, they further said.

Abdur Rahim, president of the Bangladesh Flower Society told The Indepen-dent that Bangladesh needs to pay special attention to address the problems and government should come up with relevant policy support to boost the market as well as flower export.

 “Flower and foliage are being cultivated in nearly 10,000 hectares of land at least 23 districts including Jashore, Jhenidah, Magura, Rangpur, Bogra, Dhaka (Savar), Gazipur and Manikganj. Around 200,000 people are directly and indirectly dependent on this sector while more than 25,000 families are engaged in cultivating flowers," he said.  

When asked about the hurdles confronting this sector, he replied, “We need to address a lot of issues like suitable training for people involved in flower production, packaging and preservation, cutting and marketing. Such assistance could help boost the industry.”

Cold storage training facilities, technical know-how, access to finance, adequate research and air-conditioned cargo facilities are also required, he added.

Pointing out that cut flower and foliage are under the agricultural sector, he said, “We want it recognised and identified as a separate entity. And we need a market place and infrastructure in the capital so that the farmers can get a place under a roof to sell their flowers”.

Khandakar Anwar Kamal, project coordinator and joint secretary of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) told The Independent that the demand of flowers domestic and globally is increasing day by day. But the amount of flower export from Bangladesh has decreased this year due to some problems.

He said Bangladesh exports flowers and floral products to South Korea, the Philippines, India, Japan, Italy, Portugal, Singapore, Pakistan, the Middle East, the US, Germany, the UK, Denmark and France.

However, locally demand of flower always increases during celebration of National Days such as Ekushey February, Independence Day and Victory Day.

Abdur Rahim said as the country is not self-sufficient in flower; we import some varieties of flower from different countries, which is not cultivated in our country.

Cut flower exports decline amid growing local demands

Amid a significant increase in demand for cut flowers in the local market, export earnings from this sector has sharply declined during the July to November period of the current fiscal (2019-20). The export earnings for the period was only $0.01 million, which is a 99 per cent decline compared to the corresponding months of the last year. According to a Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) statistics, the local market of flower and cut foliage has reached Tk 1,200 crore per annum. Due to the growing local demand, flower traders are showing less interest to export. Owing to the lack of a clear policy and support from the authorities concerned, the growers and exporters are losing interest in capturing foreign markets for cut flowers, said sources. According to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data, the country earned only $0.01 million in the July to November of the current fiscal, which was $3.98 million in the same period last year. The export earnings target from cut flower and foliage for the period was $3.17 million. According to floriculture industry insiders, in line with the economic growth as any other industry, the flower sector is growing very fast, creating an opportunity for huge export earnings. But there is no policy and financial support for the sector, which is hindering the sectors growth. As an emerging sector, floral cultivators are facing problems in getting finance from financial institutions. Additionally, the sector needs training on farming flowers which are high in monetary value, they said. In order to boost export from the sector, the sector needs low cost credit in making investment to introduce modern technology, training, in constructing cold storage and to ensure supply of quality and new varieties of seeds, they further said. Abdur Rahim, president of the Bangladesh Flower Society told The Indepen-dent that Bangladesh needs to pay special attention to address the problems and government should come up with relevant policy support to boost the market as well as flower export. Flower and foliage are being cultivated in nearly 10,000 hectares of land at least 23 districts including Jashore, Jhenidah, Magura, Rangpur, Bogra, Dhaka (Savar), Gazipur and Manikganj. Around 200,000 people are directly and indirectly dependent on this sector while more than 25,000 families are engaged in cultivating flowers, he said. When asked about the hurdles confronting this sector, he replied, We need to address a lot of issues like suitable training for people involved in flower production, packaging and preservation, cutting and marketing. Such assistance could help boost the industry. Cold storage training facilities, technical know-how, access to finance, adequate research and air-conditioned cargo facilities are also required, he added. Pointing out that cut flower and foliage are under the agricultural sector, he said, We want it recognised and identified as a separate entity. And we need a market place and infrastructure in the capital so that the farmers can get a place under a roof to sell their flowers. Khandakar Anwar Kamal, project coordinator and joint secretary of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) told The Independent that the demand of flowers domestic and globally is increasing day by day. But the amount of flower export from Bangladesh has decreased this year due to some problems. He said Bangladesh exports flowers and floral products to South Korea, the Philippines, India, Japan, Italy, Portugal, Singapore, Pakistan, the Middle East, the US, Germany, the UK, Denmark and France. However, locally demand of flower always increases during celebration of National Days such as Ekushey February, Independence Day and Victory Day. Abdur Rahim said as the country is not self-sufficient in flower; we import some varieties of flower from different countries, which is not cultivated in our country.