Dhaka, Feb. 20 -- The imports of many key essentials necessary in the holy month of Ramadan increased by up to 85 per cent in the October-January period of FY25, shows the latest data from the Bangladesh Bank's import- monitoring division.

Despite the tectonic rise in imports, thanks to various government facilities, the prices of many of the essentials are much higher than expectations, said market observers.

The prices of soybean oil, chickpeas, dates, and lentils have increased markedly ahead of Ramadan, according to kitchen market sources.

The central bank report said during the October-January period, sugar imports were 0.454 million tonnes, up 20 per cent from 0.379 million tonnes in the same period of FY24.

Soybean, pulse, ging...