Rice imports resume at Benapole after four-month halt

Rice imports through Benapole, the country's largest land port in Sharsha upazila of Jashore, have resumed after a four-month suspension, with a total of 1,260 metric tons entering the country in six consignments from India since 21 August.

The shipments included nine trucks carrying 315 metric tons on 21 August; six trucks with 210 metric tons on 24 August; two consignments delivered via 12 trucks totalling 420 metric tons on 27 August; three trucks with 105 metric tons on 28 August; and six trucks transporting 210 metric tons on 30 August.

Benapole Port Director Shamim Hossain said officials have been instructed to expedite the clearance of all imported rice to ensure smooth distribution.

Importers noted that the government had initiated large-scale rice imports from India to stabilise the domestic market, hoping the new supplies would help ease prices. 

Abdus Samad, owner of Gani Enterprise, said Bhuiyan Enterprise and Kaberi Enterprise are managing the consignments as clearing and forwarding (C&F) agents.

Bablu Rahman, a representative of the C&F agents, added that all necessary customs documents had been submitted and the rice stored at the port was released after clearance today (31 August).

Sajedur Rahman, general secretary of the Benapole C&F Agents Staff Association, said, "After a four-month halt, rice imports through Benapole have resumed, restoring operational momentum at the port."

Shamim Hossain noted that the last consignment had entered on 15 April, marking a four-month gap before the resumption of imports in August.