Spice prices fall ahead of Eid as imports surge through Hili Land Port

Consumers can expect lower spice prices this Eid-ul-Azha as spice imports through Hili Land Port have increased, preventing the usual price surge during the festive season. Sakhawat Hossain Shilpi, President of Dinajpur Hili Land Port Importers-Exporters Association, confirmed that spice imports have risen ahead of the holiday. Various spices, including cumin, ginger and white cardamom, are being distributed daily from Hili Land Port to major districts such as Dhaka, Bogura, Pabna, Tangail and Sylhet.

Assistant Commissioner of Customs at Hili Land Port, SM Saifuzhaman Rajib said that from January 1 to May 15 this year, over 26,000 metric tons of spices—including cumin, small cardamom, cashews and raisins—were imported from India through the port. Of this, cumin and small cardamom alone accounted for 7,500 metric tons. Spice importer Sirajul Islam said that increased imports ahead of Eid are keeping prices affordable for consumers. “If imports remain steady, spices will stay within the purchasing power of consumers during Eid,” he said.

This year, the usual pre-Eid price spike has not occurred. White cardamom, previously priced between Taka 5,500 and Taka 5,800 per kg during last Eid, is now being sold at Taka 4,200 to Taka 4,500 per kg. Small cardamom has dropped from Taka 3,000 to Taka 2,400–2,500 per kg. Similarly, cumin prices have fallen from Taka 650 to Taka 540 per kg, black cardamom to Taka 2,400–2,500, cloves to Taka 1,400, and peppercorns to Taka 1,200 per kg.

Local buyers have welcomed the decrease. Joynal Abedin, who came from Bogura to purchase spices at Hili market, said, “It feels good to buy spices at slightly lower prices compared to last year. The quality is also much better.” Spice seller Md. Anwar Hossain attributed the price drop to increased government oversight. “Every year, spice prices rise before Eid, but this time, due to government monitoring, prices of cumin, cardamom, and other spices have decreased, boosting sales in the wholesale market,” he said.

Hili Customs Department Revenue Officer Shafiul Azam assured that the import-export trade at the port is running smoothly. “All necessary support is being provided for the inspection, customs clearance, and prompt release of imported spice products,” he said, emphasizing that there will be no spice shortage during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha.