Benapole port sees 73,000 tonnes of deficit in consumer goods import

BENAPOLE, Oct 01: Despite an increase in rice import from India, Benapole port has witnessed a significant drop in overall consumer goods imports in the fiscal year (FY) 2024-25 compared to the previous year.

According to official figures, the port imported 0.108 million (1.08 lakh) tonnes of essential goods in the FY 2023-24, which fell to just 34,860 tonnes in the FY 2024-25 - a sharp decline by 73,199 tonnes.

This created a trade deficit of nearly 73,200 tonnes in food and other daily essentials last fiscal year, confirmed Md Abu Talha, deputy director of the Benapole Land Port Plant Quarantine Centre.

Trade insiders attributed the shortfall to India's export restrictions, rising prices, and tough conditions.

They also pointed out that the much-discussed quota agreement on eight essential consumer goods between Bangladesh and India - agreed in principle in December 2022 - has yet to be implemented, even after three years.

The agreement had proposed annual imports of 4.5 million (45 lakh) tonnes of wheat, 2.0 million (20 lakh) tonnes of rice, 0.7 million (7 lakh) tonnes of onions, 1.5 million (15 lakh) tonnes of sugar, 1.5million (15 lakh) tonnes of ginger, 30,000 tonnes of pulses, and 10,000 tonnes of garlic from India.

Once effective, it would prevent sudden export bans or arbitrary price hikes.

However, the delay has kept the local market volatile, leaving low-income groups to bear the brunt.

"Bangladesh does not have sufficient production capacity to meet domestic demand and has to depend on imports, especially from India. But frequent restrictions and conditions are creating a growing deficit," said traders, adding that unscrupulous middlemen are also taking advantage of the crisis by inflating prices.

Munibur Rahman, revenue officer at Benapole Customs House, said that in the FY 2023-24, imports through Benapole included 21,384 tonnes of rice, 78,947 tonnes of pulses, 200 tonnes of onions, 431 tonnes of ginger, 7,152 tonnes of chilli, and 4,963 tonnes of potato.

But in the FY 2024-25, rice imports fell to just 1,150 tonnes, pulses to 1,000 tonnes, ginger to 60 tonnes, and potato to 3,084 tonnes. Onion imports, however, rose to 15,295 tonnes, and chilli to 9,447 tonnes. No sugar or wheat was imported last fiscal year.

Benapole C&F Agents Association General secretary Emdadul Haque Lota said, "Government change is normal, but we hope India will remain consistent in its trade policy despite political shifts." Benapole Import-Export Association vice-president Aminul Haque said that complications in import procedures had worsened the deficit.

Meanwhile, Jashore Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Mizanur Rahman Khan said that the need to implement the quota agreement immediately will stabilise the market.

Md Abu Talha, deputy director at the Benapole Land Port Plant Quarantine Centre, confirmed that imports through the port had declined last fiscal year, though all consignments were cleared after quality checks. Without effective bilateral action, traders warned, the growing trade deficit would continue to fuel higher market prices for daily essentials.

benapolejessore@gmail.com