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Tag: dates

  • Bangladesh Pushes Fruit Importers to Open Credit Lines as Orange Prices Hit Tk 520

    Bangladesh Pushes Fruit Importers to Open Credit Lines as Orange Prices Hit Tk 520

    Bangladesh Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir pressed fruit traders in Dhaka on Saturday to accelerate letters of credit for imported produce. The push aims to curb surging retail prices.

    Retail prices for imported sweet oranges, known locally as malta, climbed to Tk 520 per kilogram. That surge came despite regular landed costs and existing customs duty schedules. Muktadir met commercial traders and state regulatory bodies at the Secretariat to demand an explanation and outline immediate supply adjustments.

    Supply deficit triggers retail squeeze

    Traders blamed container shortfalls at maritime ports for the price spike. Weekly arrivals dropped to between 12 and 29 containers of sweet oranges. That falls far short of Bangladesh’s normal daily market consumption of roughly 15 containers.

    Importers reported that compounding logistics costs, port turnaround delays, and steep import taxes forced businesses to curb order volumes. Financial losses suffered on earlier shipments also discouraged merchants from booking high-volume consignments for perishable items carrying high spoilage risks.

    Muktadir instructed the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection to monitor retail markets and penalise vendors charging unjustified markups. He told traders the government will not tolerate speculative pricing on household fruit.

    Tariff reassessment for dates and fresh produce

    The Ministry of Commerce offered tariff relief to encourage fresh import financing through commercial banks. Muktadir pledged that the government will review the duty structure on sweet oranges. He also promised a formal decision on date duties and taxes within the week.

    Fruit importers raised concerns over shipping windows for dates ahead of seasonal consumption cycles. International transit hurdles require early tax clarity to avoid supply bottlenecks. Customs valuation disputes have also complicated date clearances at border checkpoints.

    A representative from the National Board of Revenue confirmed that actual purchase prices across different grades of dates vary widely. Customs assessments frequently fail to reflect those tiers accurately. The Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission plans to meet importers to determine realistic baseline prices verified against international source markets before submitting a revised schedule to revenue authorities.

    Supermarkets face inventory costs

    Grocery chains and retail fruit sellers across Dhaka and regional urban hubs face shrinking sales margins under the import bottleneck. When fruit consignments arrive at irregular intervals, procurement desks compete for scarce spot containers. That drives wholesale terminal auction prices upward before stock reaches store displays.

    Lowering duty barriers without ensuring commercial banks clear foreign exchange allocations for letters of credit will keep wholesale prices elevated. Traders must also identify alternative overseas agricultural suppliers quickly to rebuild port inventory pipeline volumes before winter consumption peaks.

    Regulatory scrutiny on staple food chains

    This pricing clash follows repeated government interventions across Bangladesh’s essential food supply chains over the past year. Authorities have maintained active price ceilings and import duty waivers on core commodities such as edible oil, onions, and sugar to counteract stubborn food inflation.

    Extending formal pricing reviews to imported table fruits reflects broader consumer pressure on non-staple grocery budgets. The commerce ministry is threatening enforcement actions through the consumer rights directorate while dangling duty concessions to push commercial trading houses toward voluntary price moderation.

    Importers agreed to explore alternative overseas sourcing destinations to diversify citrus procurement away from disrupted traditional routes. Next, the Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission must set its new valuation schedule for date consignments before revenue collectors implement the revised import framework.

  • Hanoi Authorities Seize Over 4 Tons of Smuggled Red Dates in Major Bust

    Hanoi Authorities Seize Over 4 Tons of Smuggled Red Dates in Major Bust

    Inspectors from the city’s Market Management Department recently made a significant discovery in Ha Dong District when they uncovered smuggled red dates at a facility owned by Bui Thi Thuy. Valued at VND69 million (approximately US$2,650), these jujubes are set to be destroyed, and Thuy will face a hefty fine of VND50 million.

    Health Risks in Sweet Treats

    Red dates, cherished across Asia for their sweetness and nutritional benefits, are believed to promote liver function, enhance calmness, and improve sleep quality. However, the authorities are sounding the alarm about the dangers of unregulated red dates. Without strict oversight on raw materials, chemical residues, and pesticide levels, these fruits can pose serious health risks, including food poisoning and potential long-term damage to the liver, kidneys, and digestive system.

    The popularity of Xinjiang red dates surged on major e-commerce platforms in Vietnam, raking in an impressive US$322 million in sales last year, according to Metric. Additionally, Vietnam imports red dates from South Korea, which are sold at prices ranging from VND80,000 to VND200,000 per kilogram.

    A Glimpse into Market Regulations

    The Ministry of Industry and Trade has revealed that most red dates available in the market today lack clear origins and are not brought in through official channels. Only a select few businesses are authorized to distribute legitimate imports from South Korea and China, and they are mandated to include auxiliary labels with crucial details such as production location, importer information, expiration dates, and usage guidelines.

    Since early May, Hanoi market management officials have been proactive, conducting raids that have netted numerous counterfeit, substandard, and undocumented goods worth hundreds of millions of dong. In an effort to ensure consumer safety, officials continue to keep a vigilant eye on the red date trade.

    Isn’t it ironic that a fruit associated with health and tranquility is now causing such a stir in the market?

    Questions & Answers

    What prompted the inspection by the Market Management Department?
    The inspection was part of ongoing efforts to regulate and monitor the trade of red dates, which have seen a spike in popularity but also in unregulated sales.

    What are the potential health risks associated with unregulated red dates?
    Without proper oversight, unregulated red dates can lead to food poisoning and serious health issues affecting the liver, kidneys, and digestive system.

    Why are most red dates on the market considered problematic?
    The majority of red dates lack clear origins, are not imported through official channels, and don’t meet safety regulations, putting consumers at risk.