Bangladesh’s cabbage exports have recorded an unprecedented surge, with shipments rising 1,255% in fiscal year 2024–2025, largely driven by growing demand in Malaysia and other countries.
Officials and exporters attribute the remarkable growth to the superior quality of Bangladeshi produce compared to other exporting nations.
According to official data from the Plant Quarantine Station of Chattogram port, 15,706 tonnes of cabbage were shipped abroad in FY25, up from just 1,251 tonnes in FY24.
This marks the highest volume of cabbage exports in four years. By contrast, exports stood at 6,262 tons in fiscal year 2021–22 and 2,142 tons in fiscal year 2022–23.
At an average export price of $230 per tonne, exporters earned $3.6 million from cabbage shipments last fiscal year. Despite a reduction in government incentives, which are now fixed at 10% compared to 20% in previous years, exporters say strong overseas demand has kept the momentum high.
“Malaysia has emerged as the primary destination for Bangladeshi vegetables, including cabbage. Importers there are highly satisfied with the quality we provide, which prompted them to shift from other sourcing countries to Bangladesh,” said Dr Mohammad Shah Alam, deputy director of the Plant Quarantine Station.
He added that maintaining high standards is essential to sustain and expand Bangladesh’s foothold in global vegetable markets. To this end, agricultural officers across the country are working directly with farmers to raise awareness about production and post-harvest handling practices.
The cabbage export season runs from November to March, with four to five heads packed in each netted bag for shipment.
It takes approximately seven days from farm to foreign supermarket shelves – four of which are spent sailing to Malaysia’s Port Klang – while the rest covers collection, loading into refrigerated containers, and customs clearance.
Nadira Khanam, deputy director of the Horticulture wing under the Department of Agricultural Extension, noted that winter vegetable production is concentrated in North Bengal, Jessore, and Comilla.
“Cabbages grown in these regions are less prone to pest attacks, leading to higher yields and better quality for export,” she said.
Industry insiders say this reliability of supply has further boosted the country’s reputation abroad.
Forkan Rubel, secretary of the Chattogram Vegetable Exporters Association, told Times that cabbages are now shipped not only to Malaysia, but also Singapore and Taiwan.
“The surge in exports is linked to higher production and the opening of new markets. If we can secure more buyers and destinations, earnings from vegetable exports will climb further,” he said.
Md Shakib Sardar, an official of C&F agent Steed Link, confirmed that cabbage shipments in fiscal year 2024–25 fetched between $215 and $230 per tonne.
While the Atom and Ball varieties of cabbage dominate exports to Malaysia, Singapore and Middle Eastern countries, Bangladesh broke new ground in January 2024 by sending Chinese cabbage to Taiwan for the first time.
A total of 23,610 kilogrammes, worth about $5,300, were shipped in two consignments. The produce was sourced from areas including Meherpur’s Gangni, Bogura, and Jessore, and exported by Dhaka-based firm Barun Crop Care.
However, no further consignments of Chinese cabbage were dispatched after those initial shipments.
Vegetable and fruit exports currently earn Bangladesh around Tk 1,500 crore annually, according to the Bangladesh Fruits, Vegetables and Allied Products Exporters’ Association.
Industry leaders believe that maintaining product quality, securing new buyers, and expanding export destinations will be crucial to scaling this figure in coming years.
Imran Hossain, proprietor of Imran Export-Import, emphasized the importance of packaging.
“Malaysia is a huge market for us. If we can further improve packaging quality, Bangladesh can easily outpace its competitors,” he said.
