Enhancing export potential of Pangasius and Tilapia through quality assurance and safety compliances: Case study of processing plants and exporters in Bangladesh

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This study assessed the export potential of pangasius and tilapia by considering quality standards and safety compliances of processing plants and exporters (the same companies) in Bangladesh. Primary data were collected by interviewing ten of these companies. It was found that they followed the seven principles of hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) as a basis of food safety management. Almost 90% of the processing plants had a system of records documenting these rules and all of them were strict in maintaining hygienic conditions, had adequate processing equipment and product configuration systems. A comparative advantage of pangasius and tilapia export from Bangladesh to the US, Europe and the Middle East as fillets, dressed and whole fish were also identified. The major opportunity of enhancing export and thereby ensure earnings and foreign currencies was identified as a continued focus on large farming quantities, combined with that processing and exporters live up to the HACCP rules. Introducing eco-labels allowing products to obey to supermarket requirements at export markets and enhancing environment friendliness in production are further opportunities. It was recommended that the companies engage in contract farming to ensure quality raw material and thereby a reasonable export price.

Original languageEnglish
Article number735921
JournalAquaculture
Volume531
Number of pages8
ISSN0044-8486
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

    Research areas

  • Export, Pangasius, Quality assurance, Safety compliances, Tilapia

ID: 250214901