India`s recent import restrictions on several Bangladeshi products have significantly impacted trade at Brahmanbaria`s Akhaura land port.
On the day in question, approximately 46 tonnes of frozen fish were exported to Tripura via 10 trucks, alongside 107 tonnes of edible oil in seven trucks and 19 tonnes of jute products in one truck, as reported by the Akhaura land port authorities.
Port officials noted that this combined volume was less than half of the port`s usual daily exports. Over the past two days, no products listed under India`s new import restrictions have been exported through the port.
In addition to frozen fish, items such as plastic and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) goods, chips, biscuits, juices, and cotton are commonly exported through Akhaura, contributing roughly Tk 40 lakh in daily trade. With the majority of these items now banned, exporters anticipate significant financial losses.
The Indian government has imposed import restrictions on a range of items including readymade garments, processed foods, fruits, fruit juice, cotton, plastic, PVC products, and wooden furniture, particularly affecting trade through the north-eastern states of Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya, and Mizoram.
Among these, all items except readymade garments and wooden furniture were regularly exported via Akhaura and were key contributors to the port’s overall revenue.
Previously, goods worth around Tk 15 crore were exported daily through Akhaura. Frozen fish was the top export item, followed by plastic, edible oil, cotton, PVC products, cement, and rods.
However, due to the new restrictions, the export volume has dropped sharply.
Customs data shows that in the 2023–24 fiscal year, goods worth Tk 427.88 crore were exported to India through the Akhaura land port. In the current fiscal year, exports had already reached Tk 453.01 crore by April.
