Quarantine Office to Open at Gabtoli VHT Centre for Agricultural Exports

A quarantine office will begin operations at the Vapor Heat Treatment Centre in Gabtoli from Tuesday, allowing exporters to complete treatment, packing, and quarantine procedures for agricultural products at a single location before transporting them directly to the airport, Agriculture and Fisheries & Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid has said.

On Monday, July 6, 2026, the minister made the announcement while inaugurating the Vapor Heat Treatment Centre established by the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation in Gabtoli, Dhaka.

He said the government is introducing a one-stop service for agricultural exports. Under the new system, products can be washed, treated, packed, and cleared through quarantine at the same facility before export.

The minister also said a temperature-controlled storage facility will be established at the airport to preserve the quality of perishable agricultural products, including mangoes, before shipment.

According to the minister, China has shown interest in importing Bangladeshi jackfruit and has already imported a trial shipment. Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States have also expressed interest in importing Bangladeshi mangoes. He emphasized that internationally accepted packing and quarantine standards are essential for expanding export markets.

He said Bangladesh currently produces around 2.6 million tonnes of mangoes annually. However, limited domestic demand often prevents farmers from receiving fair prices, making export expansion a key government priority.

To reduce export costs, the minister said discussions have already been held with Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Talks will also be held with other international airlines to expand cargo services and secure advance cargo space.

He added that the facility will support the export of not only mangoes but also lychees, jackfruit, jujubes, tomatoes, papayas, sweet potatoes, and other agricultural products while maintaining international quality standards.

The minister also announced plans to establish several thousand mini cold storage facilities across the country to reduce post-harvest losses, ensure fair prices for farmers, and stabilize agricultural product supplies throughout the year.

Urging exporters to honour their commitments to overseas buyers, he said maintaining international confidence is essential for expanding Bangladesh's agricultural exports. He also assured that the government would continue providing all necessary support to boost agricultural exports and called on the media to promote the sector's export potential to encourage farmers.

The programme was chaired by Agriculture Secretary Dr. Rafiqul I Mohamed.

//DBiTech/MJH/EK//