Bangladesh : FBCCI for allowing export of aromatic rice
FBCCI has urged the government to allow greater exports of aromatic rice to ensure fair farmer prices and boost foreign exchange earnings. With production exceeding 1 million tonnes against domestic demand of 0.4 million tonnes, surplus stocks remain. Aromatic rice enjoys high demand abroad, especially among non-resident Bangladeshis.
The country’s apex trade body-FBCCI–has called upon the government to consider allowing export of aromatic rice in order to encourage exporters and ensure its fair price at the farmers’ level, sources said.
The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) in a letter urged the Ministry of Commerce to take necessary steps in this regard.
The FBCCI made the appeal in line with the demand of the Bangladesh Rice Exporters Association (BREA) to this effect, according to the insiders.
Earlier, the BREA in a letter sought the apex trade body’s necessary measures in this connection.
The FBCCI has suggested that the government should consider allowing export of aromatic rice in order to enhance earnings of foreign currencies through ensuring growers’ prices support and encouraging local exporters.
“The government should give permission for export of more aromatic rice for the greater interest of its producers and exporters,” the trade body said in the letter.
The commerce ministry gave permission for exporting only 18,150 tonnes and 5800 tonnes of aromatic rice in April and May 2025 respectively in fovour of some exporters.
The FBCCI said there is no alternative to allowing the existing ‘surplus amount’ of aromatic rice for the sake of retaining its foreign buyers.
According to the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute- BRRI, the country’s production of aromatic rice crossed 1.02 million tonnes in the fiscal year 2023-24 from that of around 0.580 million tonnes in the 1917-18 fiscal year.
On the other hand, the annual domestic demand for aromatic rice is now estimated at 0.4 million tonnes.
So there remains a significant gap between the availability of aromatic rise and its domestic demand.
Bangladesh’s aromatic rice has a high demand in the export markets, especially where non-resident Bangladeshis stay.
Usually, Bangladesh’s aromatic rice is exported to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Brunei, Bhutan, Canada, Switzerland, the UK, France, Germany, Finland, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Japan, Lebanon, the Maldives, Nepal, New Zealand, Myanmar, Mauritius, Malaysia, Kuwait, Liberia and South Africa, according to a document.
Bangladesh’s ‘Chinigura’, Kalijeera, Kataribhog, Tulshimala, Badshabog, Durbashail, Basmathi (locally known as Banglamoti) and Nenia varieties of aromatic rice are in good demand in the overseas markets.
According to the export policy, there are opportunities to export 25 types of aromatic rice subject to special approval by the commerce ministry.
Different private firms, including Ispahani, Square and Pran, export packaged aromatic rice to more than 135 countries every fiscal year.
A commerce ministry official said: “We often receive applications seeking permission for allowing export of aromatic rice.”
He further said: “The FBCCI recently forwarded a request letter to the MOC, seeking permission for aromatic rice export. We are scrutinising the request.”
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Source : The Financial Express
