Jhalokathi, Aug 10 (V7N) — US Ambassador-designate to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen has expressed optimism about the potential for Bangladesh’s guavas, particularly those grown in Jhalokathi’s historic Bhimruli area, to reach international markets, including the United States.
Christensen visited the renowned floating guava market and surrounding orchards in Bhimruli on Sunday, accompanied by his wife, Diane Dao. During the visit, he praised the area’s distinctive waterways, agricultural landscape and the traditional trading system built around guava cultivation.
The ambassador arrived at the floating market at around 9am, where Additional District Administrator Kawsar Hossain welcomed him with flowers. He then travelled through the market by a small boat, observed the trading activities and sampled locally grown guavas.
Christensen also took in the surrounding landscape and spoke with people involved in the local agricultural trade.
After spending some time in Bhimruli, the ambassador travelled by boat towards Atghar-Kuriana in neighbouring Pirojpur. Officials from the US Embassy and local administration accompanied him during the visit.
Speaking to journalists afterwards, Christensen said he was impressed by Bhimruli’s natural surroundings, its water-based floating marketplace and the hospitality of local people.
He highlighted the efforts of local farmers and the quality of the guavas produced in the region, saying these strengths could create opportunities in international markets.
The ambassador noted that guavas are also grown on a limited scale in parts of Florida, Hawaii and California in the United States. He said Bangladesh had potential to export guavas to the US and other international markets and indicated that he would discuss the matter with relevant authorities.
Bhimruli’s floating guava market is one of southern Bangladesh’s distinctive agricultural and tourism attractions. During the monsoon season, canals and waterways surrounding the area become busy with boats carrying farmers and traders, creating a unique floating marketplace that attracts visitors from Bangladesh and abroad.
Local growers and traders hope the ambassador’s visit will increase international awareness of Bhimruli’s guava industry and encourage new opportunities for agricultural exports.
For the local farming community, greater access to international markets could potentially create opportunities for higher-value trade, provided that production, food safety, quality control, packaging, cold-chain logistics and export standards can be met.
The visit has therefore drawn renewed attention to the possibility of connecting one of Bangladesh’s traditional agricultural markets with wider international trade.
END/MAI/SMA/
