The lowest price for dates in Dhaka as of today (March 1) was Tk 250 per kilogram. Each kilogram of mid-range dates was selling for between Tk 600 and Tk 900. Each kilogram of premium quality dates cost Tk 1,600. After the import amount doubled in comparison to market demand ahead of Ramadan, consumers have found a little relief as date prices have decreased. According to traders, lower import charges are to blame for the price decrease, which is between Tk 100 and Tk 400 per kg as compared to the previous year.
According to them, Ramadan usually sees a spike in demand for dates. Customs value was dropped by 8% to 25% at the start of this year, and the import duty on dates was lowered from 25% to 15%. As a result, imports have doubled this year over the prior one. Customs data indicates that between July 1 and February 22 of the current fiscal year (FY25), about 53,768 tonnes of dates were imported. 25,085 tons of imports were made during the same time previous year (FY24). Interestingly, the import volume reached 81,684 tons in FY23, a significant increase.
Ehsan Ullah Zahedi the owner of Al Madina Traders in Khatunganj, Chattogram informed that the date industry does well during Ramadan but experiences low demand throughout the rest of the year. The Chaktai Khatunganj Aratdar General Traders Welfare Association’s general secretary, Md. Mohiuddin, stated that the cost of dates is still affordable for consumers. “Imports have been significant this year. Additionally many dealers still have unsold goods from the previous year which contributes to the downward trend in prices,” he continued.
Source: The Business Standard
