Desk Report:
Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muqtadir has called for ensuring eco-friendly production, upholding labor rights, and implementing digital traceability—from production to export—to strengthen the position of Bangladeshi shrimp in the international premium market. He noted that while Bangladesh leads in terms of land area dedicated to shrimp farming, it lags behind neighboring India in export performance. To bridge this gap, it is essential to increase productivity and quality, while ensuring responsible business practices at every stage of the supply chain.
The Commerce Minister made these remarks while serving as the chief guest at a high-level dialogue on the shrimp sector, held on Thursday evening (October 15) at the Sheraton Dhaka hotel. The event was jointly organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Monterey Bay Aquarium (MBA), and Totalfood Processing (Pvt.) Ltd.—a member firm of the Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association (BFFEA).
Highlighting the potential of the shrimp sector in diversifying exports, the Commerce Minister stated that Bangladesh’s exports of frozen fish and shrimp grew by 19 percent last year, reaching nearly $300 million. However, he emphasized that there remains significant room for further growth. For comparison, India’s shrimp exports exceeded $5 billion in the 2024–25 period. The fact that Bangladesh has approximately 42 percent more land for shrimp farming than India, yet trails in exports, should be viewed as a major opportunity to improve both productivity and product quality.
The Commerce Minister underscored the importance of transparency in the production process to gain better access to international markets. He explained that today’s buyers do not merely assess product quality; they also carefully consider who produced the goods, the working conditions of the laborers, and whether the production process is environmentally sustainable. Therefore, it is imperative to move away from paper-based documentation and establish an integrated, transparent digital traceability system. He stated that the Ministry of Commerce has already established a ‘Responsible Business Conduct Cell.’ Work is also underway to formulate a national policy on responsible business conduct—covering aspects such as labor rights—as well as a traceability strategy.
Noting that the European Union is the largest market for Bangladeshi shrimp, Khandaker Abdul Muktadir mentioned that the government is committed to implementing various reforms to deepen bilateral trade relations, including the potential for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Highlighting the importance of the shrimp industry to the livelihoods of coastal communities and the broader economy, the Minister emphasized that ensuring the fair rights and protection of all stakeholders—including farmers, depot workers, processing plant employees, and exporters—remains a key priority for the government.
Michal Krejza, Head of the Development Cooperation Section of the Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh, spoke at the event as a special guest. The concluding remarks were delivered by Max Tunon, Country Director of the ILO in Bangladesh.
The discussants noted that a coordinated effort involving the government, development partners, and the private sector could play a pivotal role in establishing Bangladeshi shrimp as a responsible, eco-friendly, and sustainable premium brand in the international market.
