Bilal9
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2014
- Messages
- 26,569
- Reaction score
- 9
- Country
- Location
You're in the US, right...
So perhaps you should ask someone in these parts how difficult would it be to substitute for Pakistani/Bangladeshi products.
Pakistan/Bangladesh don't have enough imports in the UAE and when they do - they cost quite a lot.
The Pakistani Supermarket(s) are crazy expensive, but I still opt to buy from there.
Bangladesh has a brand called 'PRAN' which seems to be picking up business as they seem to be doing everything, but their presence doesn't even scratch the surface of the challenge they're up against when it comes to India.
Question is - is anyone interested in importing them?
Answer: No
In my household there is a complete BAN on everything Indian. And not just now (recently), but from Day 01.
Yaar - c'mon.
Pran products are found even in Indian stores in the US and I'm sure in the Middle East - if they cost too much then there is something fishy going on. They are usually priced less than most Indian products in India itself. They are quite popular there.
For Bangladeshi and Pakistani FMCG groceries the volume maybe small now, but it will and should increase - only if Muslims in the Gulf including Pakistanis and Bangladeshis think about one small factor - Halal. It should be a guiding principle in buying groceries.
Indian products are typically not Halal. That should in itself reduce consumption of Indian groceries and FMCG goods. Pran, Shan and other Bangladeshi/Pakistani Brands are all Halal. Where possible I buy Pakistani Basmati rice. Pakistanis should market their own Basmati rice instead of selling Basmati rice in bulk to Indians who package it and make a profit.
These dhokeybaaj Indian Banyas typically hide this fact but we Muslims should not - in fact in my household I hardly buy non-Halal Indian items as there are also Arab and Pakistani grocery stores near the mosque I frequent. I had to fight with family members on this because small brains sometimes don't understand larger implications. I had to make people understand that quality is sometimes worth paying premium for instead of kanjoosi Indian prices and the resulting health fallout. One must make conscious thoughtful choices. Don't buy Indian products and bankroll their oppression on their Muslim minorities.
I buy Malaysian Frozen Parathas - Halal. Pran Cookies - Halal. Pran Juice - Halal. Pakistani Biryani Mix - Halal. Shan crackers - Halal. Pakola Soda - Halal.
Every Bangladeshi stores near my area in LA carry Pran and Shan (Pakistani) products because of demand. Pran is a major conglomerate in the FMCG (Fast moving consumer goods) sector in Bangladesh especially in canned/packaged food products - they make most commonly consumed food/juice/snack items. In Pakistan there are many brand-names for similar FMCG products but I understand Shan is a major one.
If all Pakistani and Bangladeshi folks in Gulf only buy Pakistani and Bangladeshi Halal products, then prices will automatically drop because of demand and large consumption. This is proven and a fact.
Last edited: