US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen has visited Baneshwar mango market in Puthia, Rajshahi, one of the largest mango markets in the north of the country.

He arrived at about 9am on Tuesday, 16 June, and toured the wholesale houses and shops. He was accompanied by Political Counsellor Eric Gillan, Political Officer Charles Besnard and other senior embassy officials.

During the visit, the ambassador asked about the different varieties sold at the market, spoke to traders and farmers, and tasted several locally grown mangoes.

Traders at the market said they were delighted by the visit and hoped it would bring Rajshahi's mangoes more recognition abroad. Local farmers said the quality and taste of Rajshahi mangoes are known worldwide, and visits by foreign diplomats would help advance the country's farm exports.

After the visit, Christensen told journalists it was his first visit to Rajshahi as ambassador. "I came once in 2020, but this time I came specially in the mango season because I wanted to taste Rajshahi's mangoes. I am really happy to be here. I come from a farming state in the United States. There is no better experience than going where produce is grown. You get to see the freshest, most varied and best of it, and nothing compares to that."

Americans love mangoes, he said, though they usually get them frozen and use them in shakes. Mangoes are available in the US, but he did not think it was possible to get mangoes as fresh as those here.

Advising on how to raise Bangladesh's mango exports, the ambassador said the country needs more cold chain, because frozen mango is best suited to export for year-round availability. Bangladesh therefore needs to develop its cold-chain system for better mango production and exports throughout the year, he said.

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