Ahead of Ramadan, the import of consumer goods such as chickpeas and fruits through Benapole port has increased.

A. zalil, Staff Reporter:-

Import of consumer goods through Benapole port has increased ahead of Ramadan. Chickpeas and different kinds of fruits are coming more. If the import is normal, the traders are likely to reduce the price of consumer goods in the next two months. Hundreds of trucks are entering Bangladesh from India through Benapole port in the last three days. It is being sent to different areas of the country after the quick redemption process. However, due to lack of space, the port authority claims that it is taking more time to clear the goods. In the last three days, 320 trucks of consumer goods and fruits were imported through Benapole port. About 55 trucks of consumer goods and fruits were imported from India through Benapole port on Tuesday (February 28). However, the amount of fruit import is high in these three days. After the reduction of sugar duty, no sugar, dates have been imported from India so far. However, some traders said that dates will be imported before the start of fasting. Ahead of Ramadan, chickpeas and various fruits are being imported from India. Import of chickpeas has started soon after the complications of opening the loan were resolved. However, the fruit has been imported for a long time. The government has already instructed the commercial banks regarding the ease of LC to keep the market price of these products normal. Therefore, traders hope that the price of imported food products will remain affordable. Kinthu market prices are sky high. Meanwhile, chickpeas of Benapole port are selling up to Tk 78 in the wholesale market and Tk 85 in the retail market. Besides, sugar is being sold at Tk 103, onion Tk 20, apple Tk 180, grape Tk 200 and orange Tk 180 in the wholesale market. And in the retail market, sugar is being sold at Tk 112, onion at Tk 25 to Tk 30, apple at Tk 230, grape at Tk 220 and orange at Tk 230. Traders said that more quantity of gram and fruits are being imported from India due to demand. Besides, they said that the import of food has become easier due to the issuance of bank LC. And the buyers said that the price of daily products increases when Ramadan comes. For this reason, they demand to strengthen the market monitoring during fasting to keep the prices under control. Ishahak Uddin, a dealer in Benapole market, said that the import of chickpeas from India has increased. So the price of chickpeas is also falling due to high supply. But the prices in the open market are not decreasing much. He demanded to strengthen market monitoring. Meanwhile, Hemanta Kumar Sarkar, deputy assistant at Benapole land port’s plant contamination center, said quality checks are being carried out to verify whether the imported consumer goods from India are fit for consumption. After that the clearance is given from the port. Abdul Jalil, Acting Director of Benapole Land Port, said that instructions have been given to the concerned officials and employees to clear the consumer goods quickly from the port. There is a demand of 1 lakh 20 thousand tons of gram in Bangladesh annually. Of this, 80,000 tons of chickpeas are required for Iftar in the month of Ramadan alone. sender, Azalil