STAR BUSINESS REPORT

Bangladesh’s packaged food industry is on a rapid growth trajectory, with the market projected to reach $5.8 billion by 2030, said Khondaker Golam Moazzem, research director at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), yesterday, citing official data.

Referring to data from the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida), he stated that the industry, currently valued at $4.8 billion, is witnessing steady growth, particularly in the ready-to-eat and processed food segments, as working families and younger consumers increasingly prioritise convenience.

“The expansion of the agro-processing sector, particularly in packaged food, is no longer just a domestic consumption story. It has strong potential to be Bangladesh’s next major export engine,” Moazzem said while presenting the keynote paper at a workshop on agri and agro-processing in Dhaka’s Gulshan.

The prominent industrial economist noted that with nearly 40 percent of the population now living in urban areas, food habits are shifting fast. Consumers are leaning toward branded, hygienically packaged products such as biscuits, noodles, frozen parathas, juices, and snacks — items that already dominate both domestic shelves and export charts.

Citing data from the Bangladesh Agro-Processors’ Association (Bapa), he said biscuits alone fetched $88.5 million in export earnings, followed by noodles and frozen parathas.

“These products reflect not just strong local demand but also growing international appetite. As incomes rise, demand for premium packaged foods will deepen further,” he added.

Referring to Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) projections, he said a significant shift in household food expenditure toward processed and ready-to-cook items is expected by 2030.

Moazzem likened the sector’s evolution to a “tadpole turning into a frog,” highlighting its transition from informal cottage industries to export-oriented manufacturing.

However, he cautioned that basic challenges persist, particularly in cold chain infrastructure, power supply, high interest rates, and red tape.