Spice imports to Bangladesh have surged in the months ahead of Eid-ul-Adha 2026, with some spices experiencing extraordinary growth while others saw sharp declines.
An analysis of National Board of Revenue (NBR) data from January to April 2026 reveals a market increasingly shaped by Eid-centric demand and regulatory measures.
The most significant rise was in black pepper imports, which surged 943.87 per cent in April compared to March, leaping from 49 metric tons to 511.71 metric tons. It follows a steep 76.38 per cent drop in March. The rebound signals aggressive pre-Eid stocking by importers anticipating higher demand for meat seasoning and festive cooking.
Alongside black pepper, other premium spices saw notable increases. Nutmeg imports grew 168.68 per cent in April, while cloves saw a 74.21 per cent rise, reinforcing the broader trend in high-end spice demand.
However, onion imports collapsed, signalling the end of large-scale imports for the season. From 23,167 tons in January, imports plummeted to just 18.80 tons in April—almost a 100 per cent decline.
Mohammad Idris, general secretary of the Hamidullah Market Traders Association, said there are virtually no imported onions available, with wholesale prices rising by Tk2 to Tk4 over the past week, but remaining manageable at Tk20 to Tk34 per kg, depending on quality.
Among spices, ginger dominated imports with 64,996.27 metric tons brought in during the first four months of 2026, valued at Tk694.29 crore in customs assessment. Garlic imports also remained strong, with 28,178.12 metric tons brought in, indicating stable demand across both domestic and commercial markets.
Cumin imports remained steady, ranging from 1,986.61 tons in January to 2,590 tons in March, though a slight dip of 1.79 per cent to 2,544 tons occurred in April. Despite this, cumin remained sufficient to meet market demand.
Cardamom and nutmeg experienced fluctuating trends. Cardamom imports grew steadily until April when they dropped 15.43 per cent, likely due to market saturation. Nutmeg showed the highest volatility, surging 168.68 per cent in April, reflecting sporadic seasonal demand.
Garlic imports saw mixed patterns, peaking at 7,762 tons in January before dipping to 5,341.99 tons in February. However, imports rebounded strongly in March and April, reaching 7,479.22 tons and 7,594 tons respectively, indicating sustained demand despite fluctuations.
Ginger imports, though showing some decline in March and April, maintained the highest total volume among all spices, further solidifying its dominance in the market.
Market analysts suggest that the surge in imports reflects strategic stocking for Eid-ul-Adha, with importers preparing for peak consumption periods. The sharp variations, especially in black pepper and nutmeg, indicate aggressive procurement strategies in anticipation of festive demand.
Government regulations, particularly on onions, have impacted import trends. The significant fall in onion imports is attributed to restrictions and the arrival of local harvests, reducing the need for imports.
Despite fluctuations in import volumes, spice prices have remained relatively stable. In Chattogram’s Khatunganj wholesale market, cloves are priced at around Tk1,310 per kg, cardamom ranges from Tk3,750 to Tk4,100 per kg, and cumin is sold for Tk520–530 per kg. Nutmeg is priced at Tk700 per kg, and black pepper at Tk1,000 per kg.
However, informal trade is increasing price pressures.
Amar Kanti Das, president of the Chattogram Spice Importers Association, noted that key spices like cumin are entering the market through unregulated channels, leading to price discrepancies. Many traders are selling cumin seeds at a loss exceeding Tk60 per kg.
