Traders have proposed raising edible oil prices by Tk 15 per litre ahead of Ramadan, citing higher international prices and transportation costs. They have also called for duty concessions on date imports ahead of the holy month.

The proposals were placed before Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir at a meeting on Monday (October 26) to review the import, supply and price situation of essential commodities.

According to meeting sources, the Ministry of Commerce did not make an immediate decision on the proposed edible oil price hike. However, it said the issue of duty concessions on date imports would be discussed with the National Board of Revenue (NBR).

Importers said they currently pay around 55% in duties and taxes on date imports. They argued that high customs valuation was increasing import costs and pushing prices beyond the reach of ordinary consumers.

The meeting also discussed the possibility of implementing duty concessions quickly. Preparations in this regard have reportedly been completed.

The commerce minister called for a transparent and rational duty structure that takes into account differences in date varieties, quality and prices.

He noted that dates of varying quality are imported from around a dozen countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Algeria. Applying the same customs valuation to all varieties could create complications, he said.