Imported Fruits Out of Reach, Local Fruits Also Burden Middle Class

Staff Reporter

Demand for imported fruits has surged with Ramadan approaching. While reduced tariffs have brought slight relief in the price of dates, the prices of imported fruits like apples, oranges, and maltas remain high. Due to increased supplementary duties, the prices of these imported fruits have risen by 20 to 80 BDT per kilogram.

Even though local fruits such as pineapples, bananas, guavas, and jujubes are available in the market, their prices offer little respite, leaving the middle class in a bind.

On Saturday, March 2, the first day of Ramadan, conversations with fruit vendors in Segunbagicha, Malibagh, Rampura, and Karwan Bazar revealed that retail prices of imported fruits have risen over the past week. The high value of the dollar, along with complexities in tariff regulations, has significantly impacted the market.

Recently, the interim government increased tariffs and VAT. The supplementary duty on imported fruits was raised from 20% to 30%. As a result, malta prices have increased by 50-80 BDT per kilogram. Imported maltas, previously priced at 220 BDT per kilogram, now sell for 270-300 BDT, with some vendors charging even more.

The price of imported oranges is now 300-350 BDT per kilogram, up by 40-70 BDT. Apple prices have risen by 20-30 BDT per kilogram, with green apples selling for 300-320 BDT per kilogram.

Industry insiders note that during Ramadan, juicy fruits like maltas and oranges, alongside dates, see higher demand. Prices for these fruits have risen just before Ramadan. However, grape prices have remained relatively stable due to adequate supply. Green grapes are being sold at 250-280 BDT per kilogram, while black grapes cost 350-360 BDT per kilogram.

As imported fruit prices climb, demand for local fruits has increased, prompting vendors to hike their prices as well.

In the market, guavas are priced at 80-130 BDT per kilogram, watermelons at 80-100 BDT per kilogram, and pineapples at 60-100 BDT each, depending on size. Papayas cost 120-150 BDT per kilogram, while melons are priced at 100-150 BDT each. Wood apples are 80-120 BDT each, and bananas cost 80-120 BDT per dozen.

Expressing concern over rising prices, a buyer, Hafizur Rahman, said, *”I bought guavas for 80 BDT a few days ago; today, it costs 120 BDT. The price of jujubes has reached 150 BDT, which was 50-60 BDT lower earlier. Local fruit prices are rising alongside imported apples and oranges.”*

Zainal Abedin, a fruit seller in the Mohammadpur market, said, *”Wholesale prices have gone up, affecting retail prices, though supply is good.”*

Meanwhile, Sheikh Abdul Karim, General Secretary of the Dhaka Metropolitan Fruit Import-Export and Wholesale Traders Cooperative Society, said, *”The high dollar rate and complexities in customs clearance have affected the market. On top of that, the interim government has raised supplementary duties on imported fruits from 20% to 30%.”*

Due to the increased duty, retail prices of apples, oranges, and grapes have risen by 20-80 BDT per kilogram. Reduced fruit imports before Ramadan have further exacerbated the price hike, Karim added.