Vegetable exporters may stop Shipment from June 1

Bangladesh Fruits, Vegetables and Allied Exporters Association at a meeting in the city yesterday observed that they could not bear the additional charge.

"We would stop exporting vegetables and other perishables from June 1, since we cannot afford to pay the additional charge," said Mohammad Monsur, vice president of the association.

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However, the exporters did not have any communication with the government till yesterday.

The government announced the freight hike for export of perishable goods by Biman flights on May 8, citing a rise in costs.

Exporters claimed that the unilateral announcement of freight increase has poured cold water on their interest in exporting fruits, vegetables and betel leaf.

The freight hike that would raise the export costs in the middle of the year has puzzled the exporters, said another exporter. He mentioned that export of these goods on the basis of contracts usually begins in January.

Earlier, during the Afghan war, the authorities had also announced a war risk surcharge at a rate of five cent per kg of perishable goods. It could not, however, be implemented in the wake of a movement by the exporters.

The country earns on an average Tk 200 crore a year from export of fruits and vegetables to the Middle Eastern countries, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and Singapore, according to available statistics.