Indian Rice Exporters Advised Not to Participate in Bangladesh Import Tender

24-Dec-2025 08:53 PM

New Delhi:  Given the extremely volatile situation in Bangladesh, some Indian exporters are opposing the continued export of rice to the country. While one section of exporters is urging the central government to impose a direct ban on rice exports to Bangladesh, others are advising fellow exporters not to participate in the Bangladeshi import tender.

The situation in Bangladesh is abnormal, and the law and order situation is extremely poor. Disturbing incidents are occurring daily.

The risk involved in exporting rice there has increased. Bangladesh has planned to import at least 900,000 tonnes of rice during 2025-26, which will be imported in consignments of 50,000 tonnes each. This import is considered necessary to strengthen strategic stocks and stabilize domestic market prices.

Exporters say that less than 1 million tonnes of rice have been imported from India to Bangladesh over the past two years, which means it cannot be considered a major market. In fact, the largest market for Indian non-basmati rice is Africa.

If India stops exporting rice to Bangladesh, it could face significant difficulties. Importing rice from countries like Pakistan, Vietnam, and Thailand would be much more expensive and time-consuming.

According to available information, of the proposed 900,000 tonnes of rice imports, 200,000 tonnes will be procured from countries like Myanmar, Vietnam, and Pakistan at the government level, involving private traders from the exporting countries. Bangladesh is likely to import about 600,000 tonnes of parboiled rice and the remaining raw (white) rice.

Ten tenders for rice imports have already been issued. The tenth tender was issued on December 22, and the offers from Indian bidders are considered the most attractive. Indian firms have secured six of these tenders.