Bangladesh : Foodgrain imports near record high
Bangladesh is set to record its second-highest foodgrain imports in FY2025-26, reaching about 9 million tonnes, driven by a 25% rise in wheat imports. Despite ample supplies and stable global prices, domestic rice and flour prices remained elevated for consumers.
Bangladesh is on course to record its second-highest foodgrain-import volume this fiscal year (FY 2025-26), driven largely by a surge in wheat imports as stable global prices encouraged purchases by both the government and private sector.
The country’s foodgrain imports, including rice and wheat, are set to become the second-highest on record this fiscal year, driven by a sharp increase in wheat imports amid relatively stable prices in the global market.
According to the Ministry of Food, foodgrain imports by private traders and the government reached 8.4 million tonnes until May 31 and are expected to rise to around 9.0 million tonnes by the end of the current fiscal year.
The highest-ever foodgrain import volume was recorded in FY2018, when Bangladesh imported 9.7 million tonnes, including a record 3.9 million tonnes of rice following devastating flash floods in low-lying areas.
In FY2026, rice imports remained largely unchanged, while wheat imports increased by more than 25 per cent in volume, contributing significantly to the overall growth in foodgrain imports.
Market observers said stable international prices of rice and wheat, coupled with robust domestic rice production, helped ensure an adequate supply of foodgrains throughout the year.
However, consumer rights activists noted that despite ample supplies of rice and wheat in the market, consumers received little benefit as retail prices remained elevated throughout the year.
Md Moniruzzaman, Director of the Directorate General of Food (DGoF), said improved domestic production, steady imports and increased government procurement helped maintain sufficient foodgrain supplies during the fiscal year.
He said the government’s current foodgrain stock stood at 1.7 million tonnes and was expected to increase further following the completion of the ongoing Boro procurement drive.
Meanwhile, data from Bangladesh Bank showed that foodgrain import expenditure rose by 33 per cent through March of FY2026, reaching US$2.24 billion.
The value of wheat imports surged to US$1.77 billion during the period, up from US$1.1 billion in the corresponding period of FY2025.
Prof. Golam Hafeez Kennedy said stable global prices enabled both the government and private sector to import grains regularly, helping avert major price volatility in the domestic market.
“Wheat prices remained between US$220 and US$250 per tonne over the past year, while rice prices hovered between US$380 and US$450 per tonne,” he said, adding that the government accounted for more than 13 per cent of total grain imports.
However, consumer rights groups and market observers argued that local consumers derived little benefit from higher imports and increased domestic production.
SM Nazer Hossain, Vice-President of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), said domestic wheat prices failed to decline despite a 12-15 per cent fall in global wheat prices.
The retail price of coarse flour (atta) increased by Tk 2-3 per kilogram, ranging between Tk 48 and Tk 65 per kg, while refined flour (maida) sold for Tk 65-75 per kg.
Meanwhile, low-income consumers continued to buy coarse and medium-quality rice at Tk 55-70 per kg, while finer varieties were priced between Tk 90 and Tk 100 per kg.
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Source : The Financial Express
