Imports of key Ramadan staples, including edible oil, sugar, chickpeas, lentils and dates, have risen sharply this fiscal year, improving the outlook for smooth supplies during the holy month, the Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission said Monday.
Prices of eggs, broiler chicken and lentils have fallen in local markets over the past month, while edible oil and sugar prices have held steady, according to data the commission presented at a meeting at the Commerce Ministry.
The meeting reviewed the market situation for essentials, including edible oil, eggs, pulses, chickpeas, dates and sugar.
The commission, however, urged close monitoring of international prices, import costs and the tariff structure.
Imports surge
From July 1 to Oct 25 of the current fiscal year, imports of all five items exceeded those of the same period last year, the commission said.
Edible oil imports reached 8.23 lakh tonnes, up 1.18 lakh tonnes from 7.05 lakh tonnes a year earlier, while LCs opened for edible oil stood at 8.05 lakh tonnes, 1.31 lakh tonnes more than last year.
Soybean seed imports rose by 1.13 lakh tonnes to 5.01 lakh tonnes. Sugar imports totalled 6.87 lakh tonnes, up 1.53 lakh tonnes, with LCs opened for 8.10 lakh tonnes.
Imports of chickpeas, a staple of iftar, jumped to about 82,000 tonnes from around 12,000 tonnes a year earlier, an increase of 70,000 tonnes, with LCs opened for 1.38 lakh tonnes.
Lentil imports stood at 1.22 lakh tonnes, up 64,000 tonnes, with LCs opened for 1.14 lakh tonnes. Date imports rose to around 11,000 tonnes from 4,000 tonnes.
Citing Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) data, the commission said retail egg prices dropped 7.62 percent in the past month. Eggs are now selling at Tk 47–50 per four, while broiler chicken fell 2.63 percent to Tk 180–190 per kg.
Large-grain lentils fell 2.56 percent in a month and 7.32 percent year-on-year, and now sell at Tk 90–100 per kg. Medium-grain lentil prices are down 9.62 percent from a year ago.
Bottled soybean oil remains stable at Tk 204 per litre, with a five-litre bottle priced at Tk 1,000. Sugar is unchanged at Tk 110–115 per kg. Ordinary-quality dates sell at Tk 350–550 per kg, depending on quality, unchanged for a month.
Poultry sector
Poultry sector representatives told the meeting that egg and chicken production is normal, with no significant disease outbreaks and no risk of major shortages.
Farm-gate egg prices have fallen from Tk 11.5 per piece to below Tk 10, close to the cost of production, they said.
They said egg demand may dip slightly during Ramadan because of changes in breakfast habits, while chicken demand could rise after Eid, potentially affecting prices.
They also noted that under existing import policy, eggs and meat cannot be imported without special government permission.
Date tariffs in focus
Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, who chaired the meeting, stressed making the tariff structure for dates simple, transparent and rational, given differences in variety, quality and price across source countries.
He said dates are imported from about a dozen countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Algeria, and that this diversity makes a uniform valuation method problematic.
He called for a practical, easy-to-follow tariff system for importers.
The minister noted that tariff fixation falls under the National Board of Revenue (NBR), but said coordination among the agencies concerned is essential for an effective solution.
Officials said internal preparations to implement the existing tariff concession on dates have already been completed.
A proposal was also discussed to assess duty on dates based on actual quality and value, rather than fixed values.
Importers said ordinary-quality dates attract higher duties and import costs when valuations do not match actual import prices.
They said regional conditions, alternative shipping routes, higher logistics costs and LC complications could add further pressure on supplies.
Fruit importers also urged a more lenient tax structure, citing high duty rates and consumers' purchasing power. The authorities concerned assured them that necessary steps would be taken.
Global prices
The commission's review said international prices of edible oil and chickpeas have edged up, while lentil prices have fallen, underscoring the need to track global trends, import costs and local supply.
Chickpeas and lentils currently attract no duties or taxes, the meeting heard.
A rational adjustment of the existing duty structure on sugar and fruit could help keep prices affordable, it added. Fresh fruit prices in local markets have also fallen somewhat recently.
Overall, higher imports and LC openings, easing prices of several key items and expectations of normal supplies point to a stable market in the lead-up to Ramadan, the review said.