Bangladesh : Aman rice procurement exceeds target
Bangladesh’s Aman rice procurement has crossed 1.02 million tonnes, exceeding the target as higher government prices boosted farmer and miller participation. Public food stocks have reached a record 2.1 million tonnes, strengthening reserves. While overall rice prices remain stable, aromatic varieties have risen, even as a record Aman harvest is expected.
The government’s Aman rice procurement has exceeded its target, reaching 1.02 million tonnes so far.
The higher procurement prices set by the government encouraged millers and farmers to supply their produce.
In November, the government set a target to procure 0.7 million tonnes of the staple — 0.6 million tonnes of parboiled rice, 0.05 million tonnes of white rice (atap), and 0.05 million tonnes in paddy form.
The prices were fixed at Tk 50 per kg for parboiled rice, Tk 49 per kg for white rice (atap), and Tk 34 per kg for paddy — around 4.0-7.0 per cent higher than last season.
The Directorate General of Food (DGoF) said it has already procured 0.85 million tonnes of parboiled rice against the target of 0.6 million tonnes, 0.15 million tonnes of paddy against the target of 0.05 million tonnes, and 0.07 million tonnes of atap rice against the target of 0.05 million tonnes.
Director General of DGoF AHM Kamruzzaman said the initial target was set in November, with a plan to buy more if needed.
He noted millers and farmers showed strong interest this year due to the attractive prices. The procurement will continue until February 28, he added.
According to him, public warehouses now hold a record 2.1 million tonnes of food grains, which provides a strong strategic reserve.
However, data from the food ministry show that importers have also brought in 0.81 million tonnes of rice, including 0.5 million tonnes by the private sector.
Meanwhile, prices of coarse and medium rice have remained stable in recent weeks, but aromatic rice prices increased by Tk 10-15 per kg over the past month and was sold for Tk 170-175 a kg.
On Sunday, finer rice was sold at Tk 72-95 per kg, medium rice at Tk 65-70 per kg, and coarse rice at Tk 50-55 per kg in city grocery stores.
The agriculture ministry expects a record 17.6 million tonnes of rice production in the Aman season this financial year.
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Source : The Financial Express
