Holiday Trap: Bangladesh Business Slows Down

Export-import operations through land ports, delivery of goods to retailers and the supply of seasonal fruits -- such as mangoes, jackfruits and litchis -- have all been disrupted during this holiday period.

Although the mango season is now in full swing, the market in Kansat, Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj, known as the country’s largest mango hub, has been struggling with sluggish sales amid the long break.

Since the beginning of peak harvesting, the mango market has remained paralysed by the holiday closure. As a result, prices have fallen by Tk200 to Tk400 per maund (40 kg) and in some cases, even more.

On Wednesday (June 11), Aroz Uddin, a mango farmer from Shibganj, told UNB over the phone that he had been at the market since 9:45 am with 9.5 maunds of mangoes. Standing under the scorching sun, he managed to sell them at around 1:45 pm for Tk1,700 per maund.

He said he had sold the same quality mangoes for Tk2,300 per maund before the Eid break. 

Ramzan Ali, a mango trader from Chapainawabganj, said the price of mangoes has dropped by Tk300 to Tk500 per maund after Eid, with courier services shut during the holidays.

Online sellers have also been absent, leading to further declines in market prices. While traders had anticipated lower supply during the holidays, this did not happen at all.

Farmers brought their mangoes to market regardless of the price and sold them before heading home, said traders in Chapainawabganj.

Mokhlesur Rahman, an online mango seller in Chapainawabganj, said, "Online mango sales are increasing day by day. So far this season, I’ve sold 80 maunds of mangoes. Hundreds of sellers like me are working. Since 4 June, most online sellers have stopped or reduced sales. This seems to have affected the mango market severely during the long Eid holidays, which coincided with the main mango harvesting season."

The trading of other seasonal fruits, including litchis and jackfruits, has also been affected by the prolonged holiday.

Rubayet Ahmed, a garment trader from the Ashulia area, told UNB that he had prepared 200,000 pieces of readymade garments before the Eid break but was unable to make the shipment due to a lack of transport and incomplete banking documentation.

The extended holiday has affected export businesses, as many sectors are involved in processing export orders. 

He emphasised the need for an alternative system to ensure continuous export-import activities. 

Rubayet also mentioned that an import order for raw materials from China could not be processed because of the bank holidays.

Bangladesh is currently experiencing an unprecedented 10-day Eid-ul-Azha holiday, a significantly longer break than usual. 

While many expected a complete economic standstill, a closer look reveals a complex blend of challenges and shifting business patterns.

The broader effects include:

The extended break -- spanning official holidays and weekends--has triggered a mass exodus from cities like Dhaka, transforming consumer behaviour, disrupting business operations, and shaping a distinctive economic landscape.

Mass Migration: A large movement of people from Dhaka and other cities to rural areas, with bus terminals, railway stations and ferry terminals teeming with travellers.

Rural Boom: The migration has boosted rural economies. Local small businesses and informal sectors have seen a surge in activity, driven by increased spending on essentials, local crafts and services in villages.

Urban Lull: Business activity in major cities has slowed. Delivery services, restaurants, hospitals, and private offices have operated at reduced capacity, leading to a lull in urban commerce during the Eid holidays, reports UNB.