Bangladesh cuts import duty on dates by 80% and on apples and malta by about 50% ahead of Ramadan

Bangladesh's government has decided to cut the import duty on dates by 80 percent ahead of the holy month of Ramadan. The duty on imported apples and malta, a type of orange, is also being reduced by about 50 percent. The Daily Star, bdnews24.com, Prothom Alo, The Business Standard and Dhaka Tribune were among the outlets that reported the approval on Sunday, 15 November.

The Daily Star Bangla and Amader Shomoy gave the same figures for the size of the cuts: 80 percent for dates and about 50 percent for apples and malta.

What the decision includes

Putting the reports together, the main points are:

• Dates: import duty cut by 80 percent. Dates are in highest demand during Ramadan because most people break their fast with them, so this item gets the biggest cut.
• Apples: import duty cut by about 50 percent.
• Malta and oranges: malta imports also get a cut of about 50 percent. Some outlets describe the fruit as oranges.
• Timing: the decision was taken with Ramadan in mind, so that importers can bring in more stock in advance.

bdnews24.com reported that the import tax cuts before Ramadan were backed at the government's policy meeting, and The Daily Star described the move as a government approval.

Why the government did it

Almost all dates sold in Bangladesh are imported, mainly from Middle Eastern countries, and large quantities of apples and malta also come from abroad. High import duties therefore keep retail prices high.

Every year there are complaints that the prices of dates and other iftar items rise before Ramadan, making them hard to afford for families on limited incomes. Lowering import costs gives the market room to keep prices more reasonable.

Will prices actually fall?

A duty cut does not automatically mean lower prices. The impact on the market will depend on:

• how quickly and how much importers bring in
• the dollar exchange rate and prices in exporting countries
• transport and storage costs from the port to retail markets
• market monitoring, so that the benefit of the cut reaches buyers

When is Ramadan?

Subject to the sighting of the moon, Ramadan is expected to begin in early February 2027. That gives importers roughly three months to bring in stock, and the early decision leaves time to make sure supplies are sufficient before the fasting month.

What happens next

Duty cuts like this usually take effect once the National Board of Revenue (NBR) issues a formal notification, so importers are now watching for that order and the date the new rates apply. Priyo News 24 will report on what happens to the prices of dates, apples and malta once stock imported at the new rates reaches the market.