Abstract

Bangladesh is due to graduate from Least Developed Country status, resulting in the loss of preferential market access for textiles and ready-made-garments in key import markets. The paper examines the opportunities and constraints for developing a stronger export market orientation in the Bangladesh fish and seafood sector. We discuss the role of public and private standards in food safety and quality, as well as empirical evidence for their effect on fish and seafood value chains. We assess the factors limiting diversification into fish and seafood exports and constraints to value chain enhancement. The experience of export-oriented shrimp value chains provides lessons for the aquaculture sector. High costs of compliance with public and private standards and inability to meet traceability requirements for food safety and quality present a significant challenge. In diversifying beyond domestic markets for fish and seafood, the policy challenge lies in striking an appropriate balance between intervention and guidance.

摘要

孟加拉国即将脱离最不发达国家地位，导致其失去纺织品和成衣在主要进口市场的优惠市场准入。本文探讨了孟加拉国鱼类和海鲜行业发展更强有力的出口市场导向的机遇和限制。我们讨论公共和私人标准在食品安全和质量方面的作用，以及它们对鱼类和海鲜价值链影响的经验证据。我们评估了限制鱼类和海鲜出口多样化的因素以及对价值链增强的限制。出口导向型虾价值链的经验为水产养殖业提供了经验教训。遵守公共和私人标准的高昂成本以及无法满足食品安全和质量的可追溯性要求构成了重大挑战。在鱼类和海鲜市场以外实现多元化时，政策挑战在于在干预和指导之间取得适当的平衡。