Imported Fruits Turn Into Luxury Items as Duties Soar

Imported apples, oranges, grapes and pomegranates—often purchased when people are unwell—are becoming increasingly unaffordable for low-income and working-class households as steep import duties, taxes and supply shortages push up prices.

At Karwan Bazar on Tuesday, apples were selling at Tk380 per kilogramme, while lower-grade varieties were available for around Tk360. Orange prices, which exceeded Tk500 per kilogramme a few days earlier, had eased slightly to Tk400-450. Ashraful Islam, a Panthapath resident shopping for apples, said he had not been able to afford apples or oranges since last month.

“A kilogramme of apples contains four to six pieces. Even with six apples, each costs more than Tk60. Oranges cost over Tk80 each,” he said. “Inflation is already extremely high. These fruits are usually bought only when necessary, but when they are needed, people have little choice but to purchase them. I came to Karwan Bazar expecting lower prices, but they are still extremely expensive.”

Importers attribute much of the price increase to high duties. A 50% supplementary duty is currently imposed on imported fruits, while the combined duty and tax burden on some varieties reaches as high as 130%.

However, importers have also raised concerns that some fruits may be sold at excessively high prices after entering the domestic market.

At Badamtoli, the country's largest wholesale fruit market, traders said oranges from South Africa and Egypt are currently being imported at around 75 US cents per kilogramme, equivalent to approximately Tk90. Under the applicable HS code, a 121.78% duty burden adds about Tk107, bringing the import cost to around Tk197 per kilogramme.

After adding transportation costs of roughly 10%, handling charges of 8% and demurrage of about 5%, importers estimate that oranges reach the market at Tk250-255 per kilogramme before retailers apply their margins. They argue that retail prices of around Tk500 per kilogramme are therefore unusually high.

South African apples are being imported at roughly 70 US cents per kilogramme, while pears and grapes are arriving at comparable prices. With the 121.78% duty burden, Badamtoli importers estimate that these fruits should generally retail for around Tk280-300 per kilogramme.

Data from the National Board of Revenue show that the combined duty and tax burden on oranges, mandarins, watermelons, papayas, lemons, apricots, strawberries and other fresh fruits stands at 121.78%. For kiwis, durians and persimmons, the burden rises to 129.38%.

According to Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission data, the country remains heavily dependent on imports for apples, oranges, mandarins, grapes and dates, with combined duties and taxes ranging between 96.10% and 121.78%.

Mohammad Nazim Uddin, a member of the Bangladesh Fresh Fruits Importer Association and proprietor of Oishi Fruits Agency, said the current LC price of oranges is around Tk90 per kilogramme.

“On top of that, we have to pay 122% duty, which adds around Tk107 per kilogramme, as well as transportation and handling costs,” he told the Daily Sun.

He said shipments from South Africa take 30-35 days to reach Bangladesh, during which a substantial amount of fruit can spoil. Around 40 cartons may be damaged in a single container, with each carton containing approximately 15kg. The losses must then be distributed across the remaining shipment, further raising prices.

Nazim also said imported fruits face a 30% supplementary duty and a 20% regulatory duty. His association has called on the government to withdraw the additional charges.

Former National Board of Revenue chairman Badiur Rahman said the relationship between import costs, supply and retail prices was straightforward. Higher taxes increase traders' costs, while transportation, storage, spoilage and wholesale and retail expenses add further pressure.

Falling import volumes have also contributed to tighter supplies. Bangladesh imported 862,889 tonnes of fruit in FY22, compared with 622,806 tonnes up to June 20 of FY26.

Of the FY26 volume, 154,674 tonnes were apples, 138,282 tonnes oranges and 87,338 tonnes grapes.

The BTTC estimates annual demand for imported fresh fruit at around five to six lakh tonnes, with apples and oranges together accounting for approximately 77% of total demand.

The price difference with neighbouring countries is particularly striking. BTTC data show that apples cost Tk350-380 per kilogramme in Bangladesh, compared with Tk150-220 in India, Tk110-170 in Pakistan and Tk160-240 in Nepal.

Oranges sell for Tk250-350 per kilogramme in Bangladesh, compared with Tk90-150 in India and Tk70-120 in Pakistan.

Grapes cost as much as Tk450 per kilogramme in Bangladesh, against Tk130-200 in India and Tk100-160 in Pakistan. Dates sell for Tk250-450 in Bangladesh, compared with Tk160-260 in India and Tk120-200 in Pakistan.