Over 150 export-bound betel nut trucks, worth nearly Tk 100 crore, have remained stuck at Benapole Land Port for almost two months, forcing exporters to pay nearly Tk 3 lakh per day in truck rentals, calculated at Tk 2 thousand per truck.
Traders claim that delays in quality checking and artificial complications created at India’s Petrapole port are disrupting the export process. Without prompt action, they fear the situation could lead to major financial losses.
Bangladesh is the world’s second-largest producer of betel nut, and the product is in high demand in India for its quality. Statistics show that the country exports betel nut worth about Tk 700 crore to India annually. During the 2024–25 fiscal year, the country’s share in India’s betel nut imports rose to 37 percent, almost four times higher than the previous year. Yet, amid such strong demand, over 150 trucks have been stuck at Benapole, causing severe congestion at the port and hardship for truck drivers.
Momin, a driver stranded with his truck, voiced his frustration, saying, “I’ve been stuck here for 1 month and 27 days, facing various problems. We suspect Indian traders are intentionally delaying the unloading to control the betel nut market through a syndicate.”
Ashraful Islam, a representative of C&F agent M/s Auliya Enterprise, said, “Petrapole is delaying the acceptance of goods, citing testing and other reasons. We are trying to clear the consignments quickly. This stalemate is costing exporters nearly Tk 3 lakh a day in truck rentals.”
Traders also said that after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5 last year, the Indian government imposed a series of restrictions and conditions on imports, causing Bangladesh’s export volume to India to drop to nearly 30 percent of what it used to be.
Benapole Land Port Director (Traffic) Md. Shamim Hossain said that around 150 betel nut trucks worth close to Tk 100 crore are currently stuck at the port.
Md Meherullah, Port Affairs Secretary of the Benapole C&F Agents Association, said, “Any obstacle to trade harms both countries. Both governments must act quickly to resolve this situation.”
Due to India’s restrictions, the export of several key products, including jute and jute goods, garments, wooden furniture, and fruit juice, has been halted through the Benapole land route, he added.
Abu Talha, Deputy Director of the Benapole Plant Quarantine Centre, said that 10,650 tonnes of betel nut were exported to India during the first five months of the 2025–26 fiscal year. The current backlog appears to be an internal issue among traders.
Any truck whose documents reach us is being cleared for entry into India, he said, adding that they will assist in quick clearance as soon as documents arrive.
Md. Jamal Hossain/MHK