15 Dec 2025
Bangladesh has significantly increased rice imports to strengthen its contingency reserves, with the value of purchases surging more than 8,100 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of the current fiscal year, according to official data.
Figures released by Bangladesh Bank show that rice imports rose to US$148.2 million between July and September 2025, compared with just $1.8 million in the same period last year. Officials attribute the sharp increase primarily to a steep decline in global rice prices, particularly in neighbouring India.
Market participants said Indian export prices have remained notably lower since New Delhi lifted its rice export restrictions in 2024, prompting Bangladeshi traders to take advantage of the price differential. Parboiled rice with up to 5 percent broken grains has been offered by Indian exporters at around $375 per tonne (FOB), equivalent to roughly Tk 46 per kilogram, based on an exchange rate of Tk123 per dollar—about 30 percent cheaper than prices seen in 2024.
Earlier, the Ministry of Food approved imports of 500,000 tonnes of rice by 242 private traders to ease domestic price pressures and stabilise a market that had shown signs of volatility. Of the approved volume, 461,000 tonnes comprised parboiled rice and 39,000 tonnes white rice, with all consignments restricted to a maximum of 5 percent broken grains.
Ministry officials said not all approved imports have materialised, as some traders withdrew amid improved domestic supply conditions. By the end of September, an estimated 400,000 tonnes had arrived. “Not all imports came because the country recorded a strong Boro harvest this year,” a senior Food Ministry official noted.
The interim government moved swiftly to allow imports after rice prices began to rise following the Boro harvest. Officials say the timely decision helped contain market pressures and stabilise retail prices. Rice remains the country’s most sensitive food commodity, consumed by virtually every household, and price fluctuations have an immediate impact on inflation due to its heavy weight in the consumer price index.
Authorities have extended the deadline for selling imported rice in the domestic market to 30 November, after many traders failed to meet the earlier 30 September cut-off. Under the import terms, traders are required to sell rice in its original packaging and submit detailed reports on stock, storage, and distribution to district food controllers to prevent hoarding or rebranding.
“Lower international prices have created attractive margins for traders, accelerating imports from India,” said a senior official at the Directorate General of Food, requesting anonymity.
Global rice prices have softened considerably following India’s withdrawal of export controls and record harvests across Asia. Benchmark prices are down by about 35 percent over the past year and are expected to continue easing through 2025 before stabilising in 2026, according to international market forecasts.
Despite the influx of private imports, domestic retail rice prices have remained largely stable so far, officials said. Looking ahead, the food department aims to procure 450,000 tonnes of rice and 50,000 tonnes of paddy domestically during the Aman season, while planning to import an additional 700,000 tonnes on government account to further bolster public stocks.