Bhutan’s mandarin export season, which began on November 30, has already achieved a remarkable milestone with 185,703 boxes of oranges shipped to Bangladesh, generating USD 2.384 million in revenue. The success underscores Bhutan’s growing prominence in the regional citrus market.
Key Export Gateways Drive Success
The Department of Agricultural Marketing and Co-operatives (DAMC) reported that 27 exporters are facilitating shipments through five primary gateways: Gelephu, Samdrupjongkhar, Samtse, Phuentsholing, and Nganglam. A total of 525 trucks are in service this season to ensure smooth transportation.
Gelephu stands out as the leading gateway, exporting 107,943 boxes worth USD 1.357 million with the assistance of 15 exporters and 303 trucks. Samdrupjongkhar follows with five exporters shipping 23,929 boxes valued at USD 302,000. Meanwhile, Samtse has exported 22,460 boxes worth USD 289,000 through three exporters. Nganglam and Phuentsholing have also contributed significantly, exporting 16,241 boxes and 15,130 boxes, respectively.
Competitive Pricing and Market Dynamics
Exporters are offering Nu 1,400 per box for large mandarins (meel) and Nu 1,200 for small mandarins (keel). In Bangladesh, these prices climb to USD 15 and USD 12 per box, though the final rates vary with fluctuating exchange rates offered by Bangladeshi importers.
Infrastructure Enhancements in Gelephu
This year marks a change in Gelephu, where the orange export depot has been relocated to state-owned land in Namkhailing, near the Bhutan-India border gate. Exporters contributed Nu 50,000 each for depot construction, with costs to be reimbursed by suppliers at the end of the season. The funds have been invested in improving facilities, including water supply, road access, and electricity. Additionally, trenches have been built to prevent wildlife intrusion, and water tanks have been installed to minimize road dust.
A Bumper Harvest in 2023
Bhutan’s mandarin production saw a dramatic increase in 2023, with approximately 21,170 metric tonnes (MT) harvested, a sharp rise from 2,703 MT in 2022. The Bhutan Trade Statistics 2023 highlighted that the country exported mandarins worth USD 50.86 million, totaling 13,382,788 kilograms.
Except for Bumthang, all 19 dzongkhags in Bhutan grow mandarins. Dagana leads in production, harvesting 4,690.77 MT from 2,907 growers. Samdrupjongkhar follows as the second-largest producer with 2,653.67 MT from 1,916 growers. Nationwide, there are 26,963 mandarin growers.
Strengthening Bhutan’s Citrus Legacy
The impressive performance in mandarin exports not only contributes significantly to Bhutan’s economy but also underscores the efficiency of its agricultural marketing and cooperative systems. With robust infrastructure and support from growers and exporters, Bhutan’s citrus industry is poised for continued growth in the years to come.
