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Press release:

One-Stop Service for Agricultural Exporters to Begin at Gabtoli VHT Centre from : Agriculture Minister

Dhaka, 6 July 2026:

Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries & Livestock, Mohammed Amin Ur Rashid, today announced that a One-Stop Service for agricultural exporters will be introduced at the Vapour Heat Treatment (VHT) Centre in Gabtoli, Dhaka, from tomorrow. Under the new arrangement, all export-related procedures-including treatment, packing and quarantine clearance- will be completed at a single location before consignments are transported directly to the airport.

The Minister made the announcement while addressing the inauguration ceremony of the VHT Centre established by the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) in Gabtoli as the chief guest.

"The One-Stop Service will simplify the export process. From tomorrow, agricultural produce will be received, washed, packed and quarantined at this centre before being dispatched directly for export," he said.
The Minister also announced that a temperature-controlled short-term storage facility would be established at the airport to preserve the quality of export-bound fresh produce, particularly highly perishable fruits such as mangoes.
Highlighting Bangladesh's growing export opportunities, the Minister said that China has expressed interest in importing Bangladeshi jackfruit and has already received trial consignments. He added that Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States are also keen to import Bangladeshi mangoes. To access these markets, he stressed, Bangladesh must ensure internationally recognised packing and quarantine standards.
The Minister noted that Bangladesh currently produces approximately 2.6 million tonnes of mangoes annually. However, despite rising production, many growers fail to receive fair prices due to limited domestic demand. Expanding exports, he said, is therefore essential to ensuring better returns for farmers.

Referring to air freight costs, the Minister said that discussions had already been held with Biman Bangladesh Airlines to reduce export transportation costs. The Government will also engage with other international airlines to expand cargo services and explore arrangements for advance cargo space reservations.

He further stated that the VHT Centre would facilitate the export of not only mangoes but also lychees, jackfruit, jujubes, tomatoes, papayas, sweet potatoes and other agricultural products in compliance with international phytosanitary requirements.

The Minister also revealed that the Government plans to establish several thousand mini cold storage facilities across the country. This initiative aims to reduce post-harvest losses, ensure fair prices for farmers and provide consumers with a stable supply of agricultural produce throughout the year.

Addressing exporters, the Minister urged them to honour every commitment made to overseas buyers, emphasising that maintaining international buyers' confidence is the key to expanding Bangladesh's agricultural exports.

In his concluding remarks, the Minister reaffirmed the Government's commitment to providing all necessary support for the promotion of agricultural exports and called upon the media to help encourage farmers by highlighting the country's export potential.
Earlier, the Minister formally inaugurated the Vapour Heat Treatment (VHT) Centre.
The ceremony was chaired by Dr Rafiqul I. Mohamed, Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture.