Staff Correspondent:

Consumers have expressed satisfaction over the declining prices of dates, following an import volume that has doubled compared to market demand ahead of Ramadan.

On Saturday, the lowest price for dates in Dhaka was Tk250 per kg, while mid-range varieties were selling for Tk600 to Tk900 per kg. Premium-quality dates were priced at Tk1,600 per kg.

Traders attributed the price drop—ranging from Tk100 to Tk400 per kg compared to last year—to reduced import duties.

They said that demand for dates typically rises during Ramadan.

At the start of this year, the import duty on dates was lowered from 25% to 15%, while the customs valuation was reduced by 8% to 25%. As a result, imports have doubled this year compared to the previous year.

According to customs data, approximately 53,768 tonnes of dates were imported between July 1 and February 22 of the current fiscal year (FY 2024-25).

During the same period last year (FY 2023-24), imports stood at 25,085 tonnes, while FY 2022-23 saw a significantly higher import volume of 81,684 tonnes.

Ehsan Ullah Zahedi, proprietor of Al-Madina Traders in Chattogram’s Khatunganj, over the phone that the date business thrives during Ramadan but sees little demand for the rest of the year.

Md Mohiuddin, General Secretary of the Chaktai-Khatunganj Aratdar General Traders Welfare Association, said the price of dates remains within buyers’ affordability. “This year, imports have been substantial.

Besides, unsold stock from last year remains with many traders, contributing to the declining price trend,” he added.

A wide variety of dates are imported from Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, and Dubai, including Zahidi, Sayedi, Faridi, Safai, Rashidi, Mashrukh, Mabrur, Nagal, Kudri, Ajwa, Medjool, Maryam, Dabbas and Sukkari.

At the Badamtoli fruit market, a five-kg pack of Nagal dates is being sold for Tk1,400 to Tk1,500, while Tunisian Tetco Faridi dates cost Tk2,100 to Tk2,200 per five-kg pack.

IN ADDITION:

5 kg of Mashrukh dates from Saudi Arabia: Tk2,100 to Tk2,200

5 kg of Mashrukh-B brand: Tk2,500

5 kg of Mashrukh VIP: Tk2,700

5 kg of Iranian Maryam dates: Tk4,000 to Tk5,000

5 kg of Saudi Mabrur dates: Tk4,500 to Tk5,000

5 kg of Saudi Ajwa dates: Tk4,000 to Tk4,500

5 kg of Egyptian Medjool dates: Tk3,800 to Tk4,000

10 kg of Iraqi Zahidi dates: Tk1,600 to Tk1,700

Loose sack dates per kg: Tk130 to Tk135