A market survey conducted across retail hubs in Khilgaon and Karwan Bazar on Sunday (October 4, 2026) revealed that retail prices for standard fruits have recorded unprecedented increases, with apples selling at Tk 380 per kg, grapes at Tk 420 to Tk 450 per kg, and superstore orange prices climbing as high as Tk 668 per kg. Importers and wholesalers attributing the price surge to severe supply shortages, noting that weekly malta imports dropped to as low as 12 to 29 containers against a normal daily requirement of 15 containers. Furthermore, combined import tariffs, regulatory duties, VAT, and advance income taxes on imported citrus fruits currently range between 96.10 percent and 121.78 percent. In response to wide price gaps between import costs and retail tags, Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir directed the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) to inspect market manipulation while assuring importers of a tariff policy review to stabilize supply lines in coming weeks.