India's import ban hits exports through Akhaura land port

Trade at Brahmanbaria's Akhaura land port has taken a hit following India's recent import restrictions on several Bangladeshi products.

Around 46 tonnes of frozen fish were exported to Tripura through 10 trucks today, along with 107 tonnes of edible oil in seven trucks and 19 tonnes of jute products in one, according to Akhaura land port authorities.

The combined volume was less than half of the port's usual daily exports, port officials said.
No products listed under India's new import restrictions have been exported in the last two days, they added.

Besides frozen fish, plastic and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) goods, chips, biscuits, juices, and cotton are exported through Akhaura, accounting for roughly Tk 40 lakh in daily trade, Rajib Bhuiyan, an exporter, told The Daily Star.

"With most of these items now banned, the losses will be significant," he said.

The Indian government has imposed import restrictions on several items, including readymade garments, processed foods, fruits, fruit juice, cotton, plastic, PVC products, and wooden furniture, through its north-eastern states, including Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya, and Mizoram.

Of these, all except readymade garments and wooden furniture were regularly exported through Akhaura and played a vital role in the port's overall revenue.

Earlier, goods worth about Tk 1.5 crore were exported daily through Akhaura, with frozen fish being the top item, followed by plastic, edible oil, cotton, PVC products, cement, and rods.

But today's volume dropped sharply due to the new restrictions.

According to customs data, goods worth Tk 427.88 crore were exported to India through the port in the 2023–24 fiscal year.

In the current fiscal year, exports had already reached Tk 453.01 crore by April.

Local traders have urged the governments of the two neighbouring nations to hold urgent discussions to resolve the issue.

"The Indian government's restrictions will reduce our export volume by at least 30 percent, as our export basket is already very limited," said Nisar Uddin Bhuiyan, vice-president of the Akhaura C&F Agents Association.

When contacted, Akhaura Land Port Assistant Director Md Mahmudul Hasan said, "The restrictions will hurt our export trade and revenue. But we've yet to receive any official letter regarding the ban."