Pran's export receipts hit $231m

Pran, Bangladesh's leading processed food exporter, saw its export earnings soar 25.54 percent to $231 million last fiscal year on the back of a rising demand for its products in the 134 countries that it ships to.

Buoyed by the higher receipts, the company recently launched some new products like cup noodles, sweets, cakes, frozen mini snacks and yoghurts, according to Kamruzzaman Kamal, director of marketing at Pran-RFL Group.

At present, Pran has a good market share in countries like India, Nepal, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Malaysia.

“This is a matter of pride that Pran products have taken their place in global chain shops by competing with renowned international brands,” Kamal said.

Pran products are available in the supermarket giants like Walmart, Carrefour, Poundland, Mustafa Mart, Reliance Fresh and so on.

“Going forward, we are putting special emphasis on the African, Gulf and Oceania countries as the potential of these vast regions is yet to be exploited fully.” Until now, Pran has given special priority to the northeastern states of India because of the geographical proximity and cultural similarities.

Some of Pran's popular products in the Indian northeastern markets are fruit drinks, beverages, snacks, biscuits, ketchup, noodles, jelly, chanachur, jhal muri and candy. Established in 1996, Pran-RFL currently employs 94,000 people in its 51 companies.

“We have a plan to open more factories and bring more products in the markets in the near future,” Kamal added.