Oranges in Gelegphu orange export depot are rotting as the demand for oranges from Bangladesh is plummeting. This has worried the exporters. Exporters say the depot this time received an overwhelming supply of oranges from Dagana, Tsirang and Zhemgang.
Oranges at the depot had been stored for weeks, and exporters have to constantly discard the spoiled oranges.
Usually, an exporter sells around three to five truckloads of oranges to Bangladesh in a day. It has now reduced to a maximum of five truckloads in a week.
“People bring oranges here and we are having difficulty segregating the oranges. Many get spoiled and we have to segregate and discard them. We even try to accept oranges brought in through escort services. Now we have to pay for those damaged oranges as well,” said Sangay, an exporter.
“FCB used to conduct an auction and around 40% of the oranges were exported. It used to control the oranges that come here. But now, in absence of FCB, all oranges are brought here. That’s why we have excess oranges in the depot,” said another exporter, Lilanath Khatiwara.
The exporters added that the buyers refuse to purchase oranges that are stored for a longer duration.
“People of Bangladesh claimed that the oranges are spoiled and deny to take the consignment on time. They even control the Letter of Credit. We cannot export to foreign countries without that letter. The rate is also low. They demand one truckload of orange in two days,” said Lilanath Khatawari.
“They say our oranges cannot be kept for a longer duration, so they refuse to buy our oranges. We don’t understand their situation. We have not been there but we are having difficulty exporting the oranges,” said Sangay.
Exporters added that lack of skilled foreign labourers to package the oranges has also delayed the export.
Orange export in Gelegphu started two months back. Around 500 truckloads of oranges were exported to Bangladesh so far.
Karma Wangdi, Sarpang
