Indian rice millers and exporters have welcomed Bangladesh’s decision to allow private sector imports of an additional 2 lakh metric tonnes of parboiled rice, saying the move opens up fresh export opportunities, particularly for suppliers in eastern and southern India.
Industry representatives said Dhaka has permitted 232 private companies to import the rice by March 10, 2026, as part of efforts to stabilise domestic prices amid a sharp rise in fine and steam rice varieties.
The fresh allocation adds to Bangladesh’s broader import plan announced in August 2025 to bring in around 9 lakh metric tonnes of rice during the 2025–26 fiscal year, aimed at rebuilding stocks after flood-related crop losses.
Indian Rice Exporters Federation (IREF) president Prem Garg said Bangladesh has long remained a key market for Indian rice.
“Bangladesh is a regular importer, and traders from Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal are the primary beneficiaries of exports to Bangladesh,” Garg told PTI, adding that proximity and competitive pricing continue to favour Indian suppliers.
Exporters said the latest private import window follows a visible spike in retail and wholesale rice prices in Bangladesh, especially for steam rice.
Rahul Khaitan, director of Jai Baba Bakreswar Rice Mill, said domestic market pressures in Bangladesh had prompted the move.
“The new notification for 2 lakh tonnes by the Bangladesh authorities is over and above the already announced import plan of 5 lakh tonnes through private importers. The prices have sharply increased in Bangladesh, especially for steam rice varieties. I think that is why the government in the neighbouring country has allowed imports. This will help Indian millers export additional quantities to Bangladesh,” he said.
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According to notifications issued by Bangladesh’s Ministry of Food, the permitted imports consist entirely of non-aromatic parboiled rice with a maximum of 5 per cent broken grains. Importers have been instructed to sell the rice in original sacks and report import, storage and sales details to district food controllers to prevent hoarding.
Of the total 9 lakh metric tonnes planned for import in FY26, around 5 lakh tonnes have been allocated to private traders, while the remaining 4 lakh tonnes will be sourced through government-to-government agreements and international tenders.
Private sector shipments from India had already crossed 1.5 lakh metric tonnes by late 2025, while Indian firms secured international tenders for 50,000 tonnes in October.
Exporters said India continues to be Bangladesh’s most cost-effective supplier, with Indian white rice priced at USD 351–360 per tonne, compared to around USD 395 per tonne offered by Pakistan. Following the removal of export curbs in March 2025, India’s rice exports rose 19.4 per cent in 2025 to 21.55 million metric tonnes.
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