Published : 03 Oct 2026, 03:59 PM
Updated : 03 Oct 2026, 03:59 PM
Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir has ordered the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection to take action over an “abnormal” rise in the price of sweet oranges, known locally as malta.
“There will be no opportunity for unjustified price increases in the market,” he said.
The minister gave the instruction at a meeting with traders and representatives of relevant government agencies at the commerce ministry conference room in the Secretariat on Saturday, according to a media statement.
The meeting focused on ensuring adequate fruit supplies and keeping market prices stable.
The discussion came after Prothom Alo published a report on Oct 1 under the headline, “Why is malta imported at Tk 87 selling for Tk 520 per kg?”
The report said a large share of the yellow malta currently available in Bangladesh is imported from South Africa and Egypt.
It said the fruit is imported from the two countries at up to around 70 US cents per kg, equivalent to roughly Tk 87.
But the same fruit is selling for Tk 480 to Tk 520 per kg in Chattogram’s retail markets, meaning the price rises more than fivefold by the time it reaches consumers.
Muktadir expressed dissatisfaction over the prices at the meeting.
Traders said one of the main reasons for the increase was a shortage of supply.
According to them, only 12 to 29 containers of malta arrived in the country in some weeks, while around 15 containers a day are needed to meet normal demand.
Importers also cited high tariffs, transport costs, shipping and port complications, and losses on previous consignments as reasons why many businesses had cut imports.
They said the fruit’s perishable nature also creates significant financial risks during transport and storage.
After hearing the traders, Muktadir said the tariff structure for malta would be reviewed.
He urged businesses to increase imports from alternative sources and open letters of credit quickly to boost supplies over the coming weeks.
The minister also called on traders to begin preparing now to import dates to meet demand during Ramadan.
The government would make a decision on import duties for dates “within this week”, he said.
