High-quality Maldivian tuna targets hotels, restaurants and resorts as chefs see scope for a win-win trade partnership
DHAKA: The Maldives is seeking to expand exports of premium tuna and other fishery products to Bangladesh, targeting the country's growing tourism and hospitality sectors, including hotels, restaurants and resorts.
Maldivian High Commissioner Shiuneen Rasheed said her country wanted to raise awareness of its fisheries products in Bangladesh and explore market access and business-to-business partnerships to tap the country's growing demand for quality seafood.
She highlighted Maldivian tuna for its taste and quality, expressing interest in supplying the Bangladeshi market as Dhaka and Malé seek to broaden economic cooperation beyond traditional areas of trade.
The initiative could create new opportunities for Maldivian seafood exporters while offering Bangladeshi hospitality businesses an additional source of tuna for their culinary operations.
Rasheed also highlighted the Maldives' traditional pole-and-line tuna fishing method, in which fish are caught individually, describing it as an example of the country's longstanding commitment to responsible and sustainable marine resource management.
The push to expand fisheries exports comes as the two countries look to make greater use of their connectivity and strengthen commercial links.
Chefs see strong demand for tuna in Bangladesh
Tony Khan, president of the Chef Development Society and vice-president of Worldchefs Turkey, said Maldivian tuna could find a significant market in Bangladesh's culinary industry.
He said Bangladeshi hotels and restaurants currently relied on imported tuna, including supplies sourced from Norway, and that rising costs were putting pressure on businesses.
“If the Maldives can expand into the Bangladeshi market, it will be a win-win situation for both countries. Bangladesh will get access to fresh tuna from a neighbouring country, while the Maldives will gain a new market for its fisheries products,” he told The Shuttle Times.
Khan cited his own professional experience to illustrate demand, saying he used around 75 kilograms of tuna a month. With at least 1,000 hotels and resorts across Bangladesh, he said, the hospitality industry could offer a substantial market for the fish.
He added that tuna could also provide Bangladeshi consumers with a valuable source of protein.
Tuna used in sushi, sashimi and steaks
Johir Khan, president of the Chef's Federation of Bangladesh, said tuna was used in a range of dishes served by restaurants and hotel chains, including sashimi, sushi and tuna steaks.
However, he said, obtaining sufficient quantities of good-quality tuna remained a challenge for the culinary industry.
He also raised concerns that some hotels and restaurants might sell other fish under the name of tuna, highlighting the need for reliable sourcing, product identification and quality assurance.
Greater access to traceable, quality-controlled Maldivian tuna could help hospitality businesses diversify their supplies, provided the products meet Bangladesh's import requirements and commercial needs.
Saidur Rahman Titu, former vice-president of the Bakery & Pastry Chefs Association Bangladesh (BPCA-BD), also pointed to tuna's importance in the culinary sector, although his estimate of its share of food use across the industry requires further verification.
Super shops targeted in first phase
The Maldives High Commission said it was initially targeting supermarket channels in Bangladesh's divisional cities to introduce its fisheries products to consumers.
According to the mission, Maldivian products are being sold on a trial basis through Unimart, Shwapno and Agora, providing an initial opportunity to assess consumer interest and market potential.
The supermarket initiative could help build awareness of Maldivian tuna before businesses explore wider distribution opportunities in the hospitality sector.
Expanding sales to hotels, restaurants and resorts would require dependable supply volumes, competitive prices, consistent quality and efficient cold-chain logistics to preserve freshness.
A new opportunity for Bangladesh-Maldives trade
The proposed expansion of tuna exports could complement other efforts by Bangladesh and the Maldives to diversify bilateral trade and strengthen economic relations.
For Maldivian exporters, Bangladesh offers a potential market among hospitality businesses and consumers seeking quality seafood. For Bangladesh, additional suppliers could widen sourcing options in a market where chefs say quality tuna can be difficult to obtain at competitive prices.
The prospects for expanded trade will depend on consumer demand, import procedures, pricing, food safety standards and the ability of suppliers to maintain consistent quality.
If these conditions can be met, Maldivian tuna could establish a stronger presence in Bangladesh's supermarkets and hospitality industry, creating new commercial opportunities for both countries.
