Although the yield is not as good oranges from the east are fetching a good price in Bangladesh. The price per crate of oranges increased by around 4 USD compared to last season. Orange exporters say this is owing to good quality of oranges this year.
Three exporters in Samdrup Jongkhar began exporting the oranges a month ago. So far they have exported around 45 truckloads of oranges. They buy the citrus from the orange growers in the east who take their produce to Samdrup Jongkhar to sell. The exporters pay Nu 1,000 for a crate of bigger sized oranges and around Nu 850 for the smaller ones.
“This year quality of oranges is good compared to last year. The oranges are soft and smooth in touch and it is the kind they demand in Bangladesh. So it fetches a good price of around 17 to 18 or even 19 USD for a crate. Last year we got only 12 to 15 dollars for one crate,” said Langa Dorji who exports oranges to Bangladesh.
“Oranges from Lhuentse, Monggar, Trashi Yangtse and Jomotshangkha are good in quality this time. The export this time has not incurred any loss until now,” added Syena another exporter in Samdrup Jongkhar.
However, orange exporters say the yield this time has decreased by almost 40 to 60 per cent compared to last year.
The orange season lasts until February.
KinleyWangchuk
