Rice import from India through Benapole port resume after 2 years

After a two-year hiatus, rice imports from India have resumed through the Benapole port.

Three trucks loaded with 105 tonnes (105,000 kg) of non-basmati rice, imported by Mahabubul Alam Food Products from Jashore, entered the transhipment yard at the port on Sunday night, said Sajib Nazir, deputy director (Traffic) of Benapole Port.

Customs officials have been instructed to expedite clearance after verifying all necessary documentation, he said.

Another 100 tons of rice from the same importer are expected to arrive shortly.

Hossain & Sons, a clearing and forwarding (C&F) agent, is in charge of clearing the rice at the port.

Ziaur Rahman, manager of the C&F agent, said the total import cost of the shipment is $45,150, equivalent to Tk 54.18 lakh.

The cost per kilogram of rice stands at around Tk 52, including additional expenses such as LC (Letter of Credit) fees, export charges, transportation, port charges, and bank fees. Consequently, the price per kilogram of rice is estimated at Tk 55, he said.

Importers said due to the rising price of rice in the domestic market, the government waived the import duty, leading to the resumption of rice imports starting Sunday. As India also lifting price restrictions on rice exports the imports are expected to increase, helping to stabilize the domestic market price.

The government authorised 24 importers, including 12 from the Jashore to bring in 73,000 tons of parboiled rice and 19,000 tons of Atap rice. However, traders are sceptical about whether all authorised imports can be completed before the December 10 deadline.

Hemanta Kumar Sarkar, a sub-assistant officer at the Benapole Plant Quarantine Center, said Mahabubul Alam Food Products obtained the Import Permit (IP) for 105 metric tons in the initial shipment. Another 100 metric tons are set to arrive soon.

India had imposed restrictions on exporting parboiled and Atap rice in July 2023, which were recently relaxed.

Deputy Commissioner of Benapole Customs House, Rabindra Singha, said on November 11, the Ministry of Food permitted the import of 120,000 metric tons of parboiled rice and 55,000 metric tons of Atap rice by 24 importers.

The importers are required to distribute the rice in local markets by December 10. They must also report the quantity imported, warehoused, and marketed to the district food controller.