Enhancing food processing standards in Bangladesh’s poultry sector could significantly increase export opportunities to international markets.
The statement was according to experts at a poultry industry processing workshop held by the Netherlands Embassy in Bangladesh, Larive International, LightCastle Partners, and the Bangladesh Poultry Industries Central Council (BPICC) in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Over 30 officials and representatives of different companies such as Paragon, Aftab, Bengal Meat, AG Food, Pran, Provita, and ACI Godrej Agrovet, participated in the workshop.
| In 2022, Bangladesh exported halal meat worth USD 0.64 million to countries such as the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and the US. Therefore, investing in food processing capacity will open significant opportunities for boosting exports. |
Experts at the workshop also underscored four major areas for poultry industry entrepreneurs in the country to prioritize:
- increasing infrastructure investment
- prioritizing food safety
- adopting environmentally friendly practices
- integrating modern technologies into processing systems
The workshop highlighted the growing demand for processed poultry products in Bangladesh. In just six years, daily chicken meat consumption has surged from 17.3 g/person in 2016 to 26.2 g/person in 2022.
With commercial poultry farm growth at about 15% annually, Bangladesh now produces 1.46 million tons of poultry meat and 23.37 billion eggs each year. As the market rapidly expands, significant infrastructure development in the poultry processing industry is crucial for sustained growth, the experts said.