The price of imported fruits has soared by 20% to 25% within a month, making them increasingly unaffordable for the average consumer.
Pomegranates have seen a 20% price rise, while Chinese mandarin oranges have become 25% more expensive.
The cost of apples, grapes, and malta has also surged by 20%, and pears by 16.66%.
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) recently announced an increase in supplementary duties on imported fruits, triggering an immediate spike in prices.
A market survey revealed that pomegranates are now selling at Tk550 per kg, up from Tk450 a month ago.
Chinese oranges have risen from Tk250 to Tk300 per kg, malta from Tk240 to Tk300, pears from Tk300 to Tk350, and black grapes from Tk400 to Tk480 per kg. Green grapes are currently priced at Tk400 per kg.
Traders attribute this abrupt price escalation to the announcement of increased import tariffs and VAT.
Protesting the hike, fruit importers and wholesalers in Chattogram’s fruit market have staged demonstrations, formed human chains, and even halted the release of imported fruit consignments.
NBR had proposed raising the supplementary duty on imported fruits from 20% to 30%, resulting in an immediate price surge of Tk50 to Tk100 per kg across all varieties.
This increase has pushed fruits like apples, oranges, grapes, and pomegranates beyond the purchasing power of the middle class, making them a luxury item.
Bangladesh imports substantial quantities of apples, oranges, malta, grapes, and pears from countries including India, Pakistan, Egypt, China, South Africa, Australia, Russia, and the Middle East.
According to Syed Munirul Haque, an official from Chattogram Port’s Plant Quarantine Authority, the tariff hike has sparked unrest among importers, leading to a halt in fruit consignment clearances at the port, further exacerbating market conditions.
Retailers have also been affected, with Chattogram’s Karnaphuli Market traders reporting a wholesale price surge of Tk500 to Tk1,000 per fruit carton, forcing them to increase retail prices accordingly.
Traders noted that while some local fruits such as jujube, pineapples, and guavas are available, the rising cost of imported fruits will make them inaccessible to all but the affluent.
They expressed concerns that staple Ramadan fruits like apples, oranges, and grapes may be absent from many tables during Iftar due to exorbitant prices.
A leading fruit importer reported that a 20-kg carton of Chinese red apples, previously priced at Tk4,000, now sells for Tk5,000.
Similarly, the price of a 15-kg carton of malta has risen by Tk500 to Tk4,200, while a 10-kg carton of mandarins has increased by Tk500 to Tk3,000.
Wholesale prices for a 7-kg carton of red grapes have climbed by Tk700 to Tk3,300.
Australian apples are now selling at Tk5,200 per 20-kg carton, while African apples are priced at Tk6,000.
Depending on quality, a 17-kg carton of pomegranates is being sold for as much as Tk10,000.
Chattogram Fruit Market Association General Secretary Touhidul Alam warned that the increased import duty would significantly impact the fruit trade, leading to declining demand and reduced imports.
He urged the government to reconsider the tariff hike to prevent severe disruptions in the market.
In response to mounting pressure, NBR has reportedly assured traders of discussions regarding a possible rollback of the increased duties, leading to a temporary easing of protests.
However, consumers remain apprehensive as fruit prices continue to rise, making once-accessible imports a privilege of the wealthy.