The prices of dates surged by as much as Tk 50 per kilogram in Dhaka on the first day of Ramadan, even as traders and officials say supplies remain adequate and import duties were recently reduced to stabilise the market.
Zahidi dates, a popular choice among middle, and lower-income consumers, were selling for Tk 350 per kg on Thursday, up from Tk 280-300 earlier this week.
Compared with the first day of Ramadan last year, the variety is nearly Tk 100 per kg more expensive.
Lower-priced loose or ‘bosta’ dates were trading at Tk 250–280 per kg, up from Tk 220–250 two days ago, according to visits to several retail markets in the capital.
Premium varieties saw even steeper price points. ‘Ajwa’ dates were selling for up to Tk 1,000 per kg, while Medjool reached Tk 1,650-1,800 per kg. Mid-range varieties such as Mabroom and Kalmi Maryam were priced between Tk 850 and Tk 950 per kg.
The increase comes despite a recent decision by the National Board of Revenue to cut import duties on dates to 15 percent from 25 percent ahead of Ramadan, a move aimed at keeping prices in check during peak demand.
According to official data, Bangladesh’s annual demand for dates ranges between 90,000 and 100,000 tonnes, with Ramadan accounting for 60,000 to 80,000 tonnes. Current reserves are about 25 percent higher than total demand, suggesting no immediate supply shortfall.
Some traders attributed the spike to market speculation.
A rumour about 150 containers of dates sinking near Thailand has circulated in recent days, prompting concerns among retailers. However, wholesalers in Dhaka said prices at the wholesale level have not risen.
“There has been no increase in wholesale prices,” said Abdur Rahim, a fruit trader with 27 years of experience at Badamtoli, one of the capital’s main wholesale markets, in a phone interview.
Consumers expressed frustration over the sudden increase. Mohammad Azizul, a buyer in the Motijheel area, said he paid Tk 350 per kg for Zahidi dates on Thursday after purchasing the same variety for Tk 280 last week.
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“If prices change this quickly, many of us will have to reconsider buying dates,” he said, urging authorities to monitor the market.
Retailers, meanwhile, maintained that supply remains sufficient across markets in Dhaka, even as prices climbed at the consumer level on the first day of the fasting month.