About three dozen species of foreign fruit are now grown in Bangladesh, and around a dozen have achieved commercial success. Malta and dragon fruit lead the way, and dragon fruit has already been exported to Sweden in Europe.

According to the Agriculture Information Service and the horticulture wing of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), about 34 species of foreign fruit are now grown in different parts of the country. Counting fruit grown privately or as a hobby on rooftop gardens, the number is higher still.

The main foreign fruits grown regularly in the field are dragon fruit, malta, pear, orange, avocado, rambutan, strawberry, Saudi dates, kiwi, longan, langsat, jaboticaba, santol, peach, alubokhara (plum), persimmon, eggfruit, soursop, passion fruit and durian.

The data show that the DAE has already identified around a dozen of these as promising for Bangladesh's climate and soil. These could meet 15 to 20 per cent of the demand for imported fruit in the domestic market.

Five years ago, dragon fruit was seen as a "rich man's fruit", kept behind glass in upmarket superstores. Now it is sold from mobile vans. With lower prices, it has found a place in ordinary people's daily diets.

Not only dragon fruit: more than fifty foreign fruits, such as malta, Thai guava, avocado, rambutan, Saudi dates and persimmon, are now grown commercially on Bangladeshi soil, the report says.

After meeting domestic demand, these fruits are now going to European markets too. People involved say a "quiet revolution" has taken place in the country's fruit production.

A few days ago, opening the National Fruit Fair, Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid told journalists with satisfaction: "A few years ago we had to import dragon fruit. Now we dream of exporting it. Our climate gives us this courage, because dragon fruit from abroad is not as tasty."

According to the DAE, dragon fruit production is rising fast. The fruit's journey in Bangladesh began in 2007, when varieties were brought in from Thailand, Florida and Vietnam, and cultivation gradually followed.

Commercial expansion came after 2020. In the 2021-22 fiscal year, 13,872 tonnes were produced on 1,115 hectares. In 2022-23, output reached 51,287 tonnes on 2,588 hectares, and in 2023-24 it rose to 68,813 tonnes. Production in 2024-25 is estimated at close to one lakh tonnes.

The DAE said dragon fruit was exported to Sweden in Europe for the first time last year.

Malta production is rising like dragon fruit. Farmers and entrepreneurs in the three hill districts of Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachhari are turning to malta, and with low costs and high profits it is becoming more popular among a new generation of farmers on the plains as well as in the hills.

Data show malta production rose from 17,000 tonnes in 2018-19 to more than 84,000 tonnes in 2024-25. Over the same period malta orchards grew from 2,433 hectares to nearly 8,000 hectares.

Commercial cultivation of strawberry, an attractive fruit of cold countries, began in Bangladesh in 2007. Through many difficulties, it has established itself as a high-value crop.

DAE horticulturist Md Moinul Haque told Jago News: "There was always extra demand for foreign fruit, which is why their commercial value is high and interest in growing them is rising. Some fruits also suit Bangladesh's climate and terrain, and those are succeeding."

Thanks to these foreign fruits, he said, even remote areas such as the Chittagong Hill Tracts have come under commercial fruit farming.

Besides dragon fruit, malta and strawberry, about 12 foreign fruits, including avocado, rambutan and year-round gum-free jackfruit, have had wide success in the field. With good taste and yields, they have already taken about 15 to 20 per cent of the domestic market in competition with imported fruit.

Agricultural economist Jahangir Alam Khan said: "The most positive side of this sector is that formally educated young people are now building careers in commercial fruit farming. Many have succeeded in growing these fruits after university instead of chasing jobs. The large income possible from commercial fruit farming is unthinkable in ordinary farming. This has happened with many foreign fruits."

With greater supply of local and locally grown foreign fruit, prices are staying stable and import dependence has fallen. Sirajul Islam, president of the Bangladesh Fresh Fruits Importers Association, told Jago News: "Because of the higher dollar rate and duties, the cost of imported apples and grapes has risen sharply. But with plenty of foreign fruit produced in the country, buyers are turning more to these."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.