Fruit price soaring ahead of Ramadan

Muhammad Ayub Ali :

The price of imported fresh fruits like grapes, apples, watermelons, oranges, pears, and pineapple are soaring ahead of Ramadan.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) increased the supplementary duty on import of certain dry and fresh fruits, such as nuts and betel nuts, to 45 percent from the previous 30 percent On January 9.

The duty on some fresh fruits, such as grapes, apples, and watermelons, as well as on juices, was raised to 30 percent from 20 percent.

However, the NBR relaxed VAT and Tax on date import before the two months considering the holy month of Ramadan to curb the price hike.

Though date prices have decreased compared to the previous years the fruits are price soaring.
The Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission (BTTC) has also recommended reducing import duties on fresh fruits, including apples, oranges, grapes, pears, and pineapple.

It sent a letter to the National Board of Revenue (NBR) on February 17, urging a reduction in the tax burden to alleviate the financial strain on consumers.

Md Serajul Islam, president of Bangladesh Fresh Fruits Importers Association said to the New Nation that still now the supplementary duty may be reduced by 5 percent from 30 percent, customs duty may reduce from 30 percent to 25 percent.

Advance income tax (AIT) may be reduced by 5 percent from 10 percent and a 20 percent regulatory duty (RD) remains unchanged on fruit imports he added.

Market people say that every year, the market heats up before the start of Ramadan, The prices of daily necessities start increasing especially products like dates, cucumbers, lemons, chickpeas, lentils, and gram flour. But the picture this time is a bit different.

At the capital’s Rampura market, Apples are currently being sold at Tk 300-400 per kg, Malta at TK 280 to Tk 300 per Kg, guava at Tk 80-100, and watermelons are being sold at Tk 300 to 500, depending on size.

Apples come from South Africa, Brazil, China, and Australia, pomegranates from India, pears from Pakistan, sweet oranges from Egypt, tangerines from China and India, and grapes from India, industry people say Watermelon trader Masud told the New Nation that the prices of every fruit are on the rise. The prices of apples and watermelons will increase further.
He said that a number of shopkeepers stock up on goods, which results in them not getting enough. Due to this, they have to buy at a higher price. We are selling them at a limited profit by buying at a higher price.

Hamid said that the prices of all types of fruits have increased by Tk 20 to 50 per kg.
Fruit trader Kalam said that his shop has various types of apples. They are being sold at a price ranging from TK 360 to TK 420 per kg.

In the market, depending on the quality, Bengal dates are sold at Tk 180 to Tk 200 per kg, Medjool dates at Tk 1200 to Tk 1600, Ajoa dates at TK 900 to Tk 1300, Kamranga Mariam dates at Tk 700 to Tk 1850, Mariam dates at Tk 600, Tunisian dates at Tk 450, raw dates at Tk 600, Masharuk at Tk 700 to Tk 900 per kg, Sugai dates at Tk 950, Dabas dates are being sold at Tk 460-500.