The date market in Bangladesh remains unstable even as imports have surged by 192 percent over the past year. With Ramadan approaching, demand for dates traditionally rises, and prices follow suit — a pattern that continues this season despite record imports and reduced customs duties.
Bangladesh Bank data show that 3,184 metric tons of dates were imported from September to December 2024, compared to 9,301 metric tons during the same period in 2025. According to the Ministry of Commerce, a total of 49,807 tons of dates arrived in the country between November 1 and February 17, up from 44,716 tons last year, marking an 11.4 percent increase.
Despite higher supply, retail prices have not eased. Traders report paying more due to port congestion caused by an ongoing labor strike at Chattogram Port, which delayed unloading and created a temporary supply gap. Md. Al-Amin, Managing Director of Badamtoli fruit importer Molla Fresh Force Limited, said, “The main problem is port instability. A 15-day delay in unloading dates has disrupted the retail market. If the port operates normally, there would be no crisis.”
The annual demand for dates in Bangladesh is estimated at 90,000 to 110,000 tons, with 65,000 tons consumed during Ramadan. This season, about 15,000 tons more than the Ramadan demand have been imported. To ease prices, the government reduced import duty on dates from 25 percent to 15 percent on December 23, effective until March 31.
Sources from the Bangladesh Fresh Fruits Importers Association said that ships arrived on time and sufficient dates were imported to meet Ramadan demand. However, the late issuance of the duty exemption notification delayed benefits for traders, who had already purchased dates at higher duties, limiting immediate relief to the retail market.
Bangladesh Bank Executive Director and spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan confirmed that sufficient dates are in the country for Ramadan and emphasized that if supply reaches the market normally, prices should stabilize.
Observations from retail markets show that dates are still selling at high prices, ranging from Tk 450 to Tk 550 per kilogram in Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar, depending on quality, significantly above wholesale prices.
Despite record imports and duty reductions, logistical delays and timing issues continue to keep the date market volatile, placing extra financial pressure on consumers during Ramadan.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
