BD Ranks Second Globally in Freshwater Fish Production

The expansion of women-led SMEs is strengthening Bangladesh’s poultry industry by boosting employment, production, and market competitiveness. On International Women's Day 2025, the Bangladesh Poultry Industries Central Council (BPICC) and the US Soybean Export Council (USSEC) highlighted the need to support women entrepreneurs and ensure adequate nutrition for their sustained contributions.

Shrimp exports in Bangladesh have halved over the past seven years, forcing many processing units to shut down. Out of 109 registered factories, only 48 remain operational—30 in Khulna and 18 in Chattogram—due to a severe raw material shortage, with factories receiving just 7% of their required shrimp input.

Marine fish harvest in Bangladesh declined for the second consecutive year, with catches from the Bay of Bengal falling to 628,622 tonnes in FY 2023-24, the lowest in nine years, marking a 13% year-on-year drop, according to the Department of Fisheries (DoF).

Pran, a leading agro-processing giant, is investing Tk 600 crore over the next two years to expand its poultry business in Bangladesh. The investment includes the establishment of four advanced egg farms in Noakhali, Shariatpur, Chittagong, and Mymensingh, with a combined daily production capacity of 20 lakh eggs.

Bangladesh has made significant progress in fish and meat production, securing a comfortable position in ensuring food security. According to the FAO's The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024 report, the country has moved to second place globally in freshwater fish production, producing 1.32 million tonnes.