Photo: BSS

CHATTOGRAM, May 20, 2026 (BSS) - Prices of most spices have declined in the wholesale markets of Chaktai and Khatunganj in Chattogram ahead of Eid-ul-Azha due to an oversupply.

Market insiders said prices of key spices, including cumin, cardamom, cloves and cinnamon, have dropped by Tk 50 to Tk 200 per kilogram over the past two weeks despite a reported decline in imports during the current fiscal year.

According to data from the Chattogram Custom House, imports in the 2025-26 fiscal year included 2,793 tonnes of cumin, 1,257 tonnes of cloves, 1,098 tonnes of cardamom and 346 tonnes of nutmeg.

Assistant Commissioner of Chattogram Custom House Sharif Mohammad Al Amin said imports of the four major spices declined by around 25 percent compared to the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. However, he noted that spices are also entering the country through other ports, ensuring adequate supply in the market.

Traders alleged that large volumes of spices are also entering the country illegally through border areas, contributing to the unusual fall in prices and creating difficulties for legal importers.

Importer Abdur Razzak said demand for hot spices usually rises sharply before Eid-ul-Azha, prompting some unscrupulous syndicates to manipulate the market.

"Although there is no shortage of supply, a significant portion is not entering through legal channels," he said.

A visit to several warehouses in Khatunganj found that prices of most spices have fallen steadily since late April.

Wholesale prices of cardamom declined from Tk 4,100 to Tk 3,900 per kg this week, while cloves dropped by Tk 50 to around Tk 1,300 per kg. Cumin was selling at Tk 530 per kg and pepper at Tk 1,010 per kg.

Hot spice trader Md. Badsha said the import cost of cumin, including duties, stands at around Tk 530 per kg, but some wholesalers are selling it at Tk 500 per kg.

He said cardamom imported through legal channels costs around Tk 4,100 to Tk 4,200 per kg after duties, whereas illegally imported products are being sold at Tk 4,000 to Tk 4,050 per kg.

"Regular importers are facing losses because of unfair competition," he added.

He also said prices of LMG cardamom fell from Tk 3,900 to Tk 3,700 per kg, cloves from Tk 1,300 to Tk 1,260, and cinnamon from Tk 440 to Tk 420 over the past few weeks.

Deputy Director of the Plant Quarantine Office at Chattogram Port Dr. Mohammad Shah Alam said spices including cardamom and cumin are also being imported through several land ports outside Chattogram.

Official data showed that between July 25 and May 10 of the current fiscal year, Chattogram Port handled imports of 1,150 tonnes of cardamom, 13,296 tonnes of cinnamon, 1,350 tonnes of cloves, 3,115 tonnes of cumin, 350 tonnes of mace, 336 tonnes of nutmeg, 1,959 tonnes of pepper, 45,538 tonnes of ginger and 53,101 tonnes of garlic.

In the previous fiscal year, imports included 1,846 tonnes of cardamom, 15,739 tonnes of cinnamon and 1,659 tonnes of pepper.

Traders at Ilias Market and Zafar Market in Khatunganj said nearly 90 percent of the country's demand for hot spices depends on imports.

They said the most sought-after spices during the Qurbani season include cumin, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon and pepper, which are widely used in preparing meat dishes.

Importers also claimed that spices are being smuggled into the country through border areas in Sylhet, Cumilla and Feni, affecting the wholesale trade in Khatunganj.

Vice-President of the Bangladesh Wholesale Hot Spices Traders Association Amar Kanti Das said the government is losing substantial revenue due to illegal imports.

He said small cardamom was currently selling at around Tk 3,700 per kg, large cardamom at Tk 4,000 and cloves between Tk 1,260 and Tk 1,300 per kg.

He estimated that the government loses Tk 220 to Tk 250 in duties per kg of cumin and Tk 550 to Tk 600 per kg of cardamom brought into the country illegally.