Dhaka, Oct. 2 -- BENAPOLE, Oct 01: Despite an increase in rice import from India, Benapole port has witnessed a significant drop in overall consumer goods imports in the fiscal year (FY) 2024-25 compared to the previous year.

According to official figures, the port imported 0.108 million (1.08 lakh) tonnes of essential goods in the FY 2023-24, which fell to just 34,860 tonnes in the FY 2024-25 - a sharp decline by 73,199 tonnes.

This created a trade deficit of nearly 73,200 tonnes in food and other daily essentials last fiscal year, confirmed Md Abu Talha, deputy director of the Benapole Land Port Plant Quarantine Centre.

Trade insiders attributed the shortfall to India's export restrictions, rising prices, and tough conditions.

They ...