Big News: Bangladesh to import 4 lakh tonnes of rice – What could be the impact on India?
15-Jul-2025 03:10 PM
Big News: Bangladesh to import 4 lakh tonnes of rice – What could be the impact on India?
★ The Bangladesh government has decided to import 400,000 tonnes of rice as a precautionary measure, anticipating possible floods during the Aman season.
★ The rice import will be made through international tenders to be floated soon.
★ So far, the government has already procured 3.76 lakh tonnes of Boro paddy and 9.50 lakh tonnes of rice, against the target of 14 lakh tonnes. The procurement process is expected to end by mid-August.
★ Starting in August, Bangladesh will resume its food-friendly programme, under which 55 lakh families (up from 50 lakh last year) will receive 30 kg of rice per month at Tk 15 per kg. This programme will run for six months: August, September, October, November, February, and March.
★ The government aims to maintain a safe food reserve of 13 lakh tonnes of rice and wheat by November.
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Possible impact on India:
★ India offers the lowest-priced rice in the international market and has been a key supplier of non-basmati rice to Bangladesh for several years.
★ If Bangladesh opens tenders soon, Indian rice prices could receive support, especially in the export market, potentially stabilizing or slightly increasing prices for Indian rice exporters.