Ctg customs to destroy 4,00,000kg imported fruits worth Tk70 lakh due to low auction prices

Chattogram Customs House has decided to destroy approximately 4,00,000kg imported fruits worth Tk70 lakh after multiple unsuccessful auction attempts.

"The fruit shipment, comprising oranges, maltas, mandarins, and dragon fruit imported from South Africa in 21 refrigerated containers, but was left uncleared at Chattogram port," Chattogram Customs House Deputy Commissioner Saidul Islam told The Business Standard today (14 November).

He said as a result, customs authorities attempted multiple auctions but were unable to attract buyers willing to meet the desired price due to the deteriorated condition of the fruit.

"Due to prolonged storage and legal issues, a large portion of the fruit has rotted. Now unsellable fruits will be disposed of at the Chattogram City Corporation's dumping site at 10am on 18 November," he added.

Yakub Chowdhury, general secretary of the Chattogram Custom Bidder Association, said, "While the fruit was finally auctioned, spoilage had already made much of it undesirable. Keeping fruit fresh needed uninterrupted electricity for refrigeration, which further increased operational costs."

He further said earlier auctioning could have preserved the fruit's quality and market value, reducing waste and cutting down the port's expenses. However, the delay led to a decline in bidder interest as the fruit's condition deteriorated.