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The import of spice items has significantly risen over the years, with more than 4.47 lakh metric tonnes of spices imported alone in the last fiscal year.
The importation witnesses 30 per cent year-on-year growth.
Except onion, most imported spices include garlic, ginger, dried pepper, turmeric, cumin, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and black pepper.
In FY21 the import was more than that in the previous fiscal, which accounted for over 3.4 lakh metric tonnes.
In FY19 it was 2.32 lakh metric tonnes whereas the amount of import in FY18 was 2.26 lakh metric tonnes. In FY17 it was 1.28 lath metric tonnes.
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) officials said earlier the import of spices soared mainly ahead of every Eid occasions, but now that it goes on throughout the year.
According to the Customs Department of the NBR, importers brought more than 1.72 lakh metric tonnes of ginger, 97,400 metric tonnes of garlic, 67,219 metric tonnes of dried pepper, 45,574 metric tonnes of turmeric, 41,493 metric tonnes of cumin seeds, 11,732 metric tonnes of cinnamon, 2,324 metric tonnes of clove, 3,228 metric tonnes of cardamoms and 2,229 metric tonnes of black pepper in FY21.
According to the traders and importers, not all spices are locally produced owing to weather condition, and farmers do not know how to cultivate rare spices.
“We have no way but to import these items. Among the spices, cumin, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and black pepper are totally import-dependent,” they said.
Harun Ur Rashid, president of Hili Land Port Import-Export Group, told The Business Post that fear of ban on import during lockdown forced the traders to import spices as much as they could in the last two years.
They thought if the import were further banned by the government, it would be hard for them to meet local demand.
“So, we imported a large amount of spices when there was no ban,” said Harun.
Another importer Aman Mohammad Ali, also a wholesaler of spices in Mirpur-1, told The Business Post the online fast food business is gaining momentum in the last two years which is a reason behind the spike in consumption of spice items that has shot up the demand as well as import.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension officials, the lion’s share of the demand for spices in Bangladesh is met by imports from India. However, spices are also imported from China, Pakistan, Syria, Afghanistan, Colombia, Vietnam, Guatemala, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the UAE and some other countries.
Health expert say spices are used mainly as an aromatic condiment and flavouring additive in a wide variety of cuisines, sweet and savory dishes, breakfast cereals, snacks, tea and traditional food items.
A large number of health conscious people gave their opinion that they directly consume some listed spices as they are good for health.
