Nima | Gelephu

Despite working in a containment mode and struggling with the deployment of workers for grading, packing and loading, Gelephu has been able to export more than 600 truckloads of orange, worth USD 2,531,784 to Bangladesh

More than 5,100 metric tonnes of orange were exported in the past three months, according to the record with Bhutan Chamber for Commerce and Industry (BCCI) in Gelephu.

Exporter, Mandan Oli, said it was the most difficult season for the mandarin exporters.

“Oranges were detained for a long time at the depots in Gelephu and that affected the rate in the market,” he said.

Regional secretary with BCCI, Kelzang, said the export was a little difficult this time because of the pandemic.

Many Bhutanese young people were engaged in grading, packing and loading this season.

Each exporter usually spends over Nu 1 million on workers from across the border.

Eight exporters were involved in mandarin exports this season.

Over 10,000 boxes of orange were rejected, but the exporters with the help of stakeholders managed to explore markets in India and within the country, according to the official.

The export of orange this time was not encouraging for the suppliers, as the rate of orange fluctuated the entire season.

Suppliers were paid as low as Nu 550 per box.

Supplier, Jigten Dorji from Dagana, said that he bought five orchards this time. “I suffered loss from all the orchards, almost by Nu 40,000 to 50,000,” he said.