Being an important item on the Iftar menu, dates are always in great demand, and their consumption skyrockets during Ramadan.
Unlike previous years, the prices of all varieties of dates, mostly imported from the Middle East, have already become manifold.
From importers to the government to consumers, especially low-income people, all stakeholders are reacting to the higher prices.
As chaos kept on snowballing over the prices, the government on Tuesday fixed the wholesale prices for both low-grade as well as popular Zahidi dates for this Ramadan.
The price range for ordinary or low-quality dates was set at Tk150-165 per kg, and the Zahidi variety was between Tk170 and Tk180.
Previously, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) issued notifications on February 8 reducing import duty on rice, edible oil, sugar, and dates ahead of Ramadan, following the prime minister’s instructions on January 29.
However, the measures could not tame the date prices.
The average annual demand for dates in the country is as much as 90,000 tons.
Almost half the consumption is reported during demand for them.
According to official estimates, around 88,567 tons of dates were imported in 2022 and 68,515 tons in 2023.
Reactions of sellers, consumers
Analyzing the prices, it was found that dates have become seven to eight times more expensive in a mere five years.
For instance, a date variety that could sell for Tk100-150 five years earlier is now priced at Tk700-750.
Zahidi dates are now selling for Tk300, more than double the price charged last year. The same variety was sold for Tk50-55 five years ago.
Traders at the capital’s Badamtoli wholesale fruit market said an increased import duty was the main reason for the exorbitant prices.
This year, they say, the government imposed Tk208 import duty on the dates that were priced at just Tk200 last year.
Nurun Nabi Talukder said: “We try to charge a minimum profit from our customers. But higher import duties are forcing us to charge higher rates.
“If the government cuts import duty, the prices will automatically drop. Our customers will not feel the pressure of higher prices.”
Another trader at the market, Md Rihan, said traders usually make up to Tk30 profit selling a kg of low-tier dates.
“But better varieties, such as Ajwa and Maryam, are usually pricier. Additionally, many other costs are involved,” he said.
The sales volume, he said, has been affected by the price issue.
“The same people who used to buy a packet of five kg of dates now buy one kg or two,” he said.
Disappointed with the higher prices, Amir Hossain, a customer, said: “When many countries offer products at discounted rates during Ramadan, businessmen in Bangladesh try to make a quick buck by overcharging us.
“We’re very helpless. We don’t have a choice but to pay higher prices not only for dates but for everything we need during Ramadan,” he added.
Another consumer, Mowlana Shamsul Haq, told Bangla Tribune that having dates at Iftar has some Islamic benefits.
“So Muslims always prefer having the fruit while breaking the fast. But dates are no longer affordable for all. I think the prices in a year have soared by four to five times,” he added.
“I was charged Tk1,500 for one kg of premium dates. This is crazy. How could a poor family afford that?”
Prices in Dhaka
Traders at the Badamtoli market said some 30 varieties of dates are being sold in the country now.
Of them, the Zahidi variety, imported from Iraq, has the highest demand. It sells for Tk280-300.
Other popular varieties are Ajwa, Maryam, Medjool, Nakal, Dabbas, Safari, Sayer, Mashrookh, Mabroom, Sukkari, Khudri, Barhi, Kholas, Segai, etc.
Each kg of low-tier Maryam dates is sold at Tk700-900, Mabroom at Tk600-650, Medjool at Tk1,300-1,400, Dabbas at Tk400-450, Ajwa at Tk1,200-1,500.
Premium-quality Ajwa and Maryam dates are priced at up to Tk2,000.
