Bangladesh receives 58,000 tonnes of corn from US after 8 years
According to the US Embassy in Dhaka, an official from United Grain Corporation said the company was honoured to be part of the first US corn shipment to Bangladesh in eight years
A large shipment of high-quality corn from the United States (US) has arrived in Bangladesh after an eight-year break.
The mother vessel MV Beltokio departed from the Port of Vancouver in Washington state, entered Bangladesh's territorial waters on 31 December, and began formal unloading operations at Chattogram port today (7 January).
Stakeholders believe the import will open up a new source of quality raw materials for the country's animal feed industry, particularly poultry and dairy feed.
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US Embassy Dhaka's Agricultural Attaché Erin Covert visited the Confidence Cement jetty today at Chattogram port to welcome the shipment and exchange views with importers and suppliers.
Also present were Nahar Agro Group Chairman Rakibur Rahman Totul, Paragon Group's Gautam Majumdar, Narish Poultry and Hatchery Director Rafiqul Islam Babu, and Excel Agro Trade Managing Director Ziad Khan.
Meanwhile, the shipment comprises around 58,000 tonnes of corn produced in the US states of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. It has been jointly imported by three of Bangladesh's leading animal feed producers: Nahar Agro Group, Paragon Group, and Narish Poultry and Hatchery Limited.
Of the total volume, Narish will receive 29,000 tonnes, Paragon 19,000 tonnes, and Nahar Agro 10,000 tonnes. The cargo will be unloaded at Chattogram, Narayanganj, and Noapara ports.
According to the US Embassy in Dhaka, an official from United Grain Corporation said the company was honoured to be part of the first US corn shipment to Bangladesh in eight years.
He expressed appreciation for all those involved and said the company looks forward to supplying US grains to Bangladesh for years to come.
Notably, Bangladesh typically imports corn from Brazil, Argentina, and Myanmar. According to importers, regular imports of US corn will help make better animal feed and create a competitive market.
According to shipping and logistics sources, it took about 46 days for the shipment to reach Bangladesh from the US.
Importers said corn shipments from India usually take 10 to 15 days, while those from Brazil or Argentina take 30 to 35 days. In contrast, shipments from the US require nearly 60 days, including loading and unloading.
The import price has been set at $246 per tonne, and the landing cost at Chattogram port is estimated at around Tk34 per kilogram.
US Embassy Dhaka's Agricultural Attaché Erin Covert said she was delighted to see US corn reaching Bangladesh after a long gap, describing the shipment as a milestone in bilateral agricultural trade relations.
She praised the collaboration among Bangladesh's leading importers and said US corn is globally recognised for its quality.
"Discussions are underway on how both sides can work more closely to ensure continuity of supply," she added.
Rakibur Rahman Totul, chairman of Nahar Agro Group, said Bangladesh meets only about 30% of its corn demand through local production, with the remaining 70% dependent on imports. While US soybeans are already widely used in the country, he said, this source of high-quality corn is particularly important. Despite the longer transit time, US corn is unmatched in quality, he added, noting that it will help meet the country's growing demand for animal protein and strengthen bilateral trade ties with the US.
