Govt approves import of 50,000 tonnes rice from India, 2.2 lakh tonnes wheat from US

The government today (7 October) approved a proposal to import 50,000 tonnes of non-Basmati parboiled rice from India under the international open tender system for 2025–26 fiscal year.

The Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase (ACCGP) in its meeting approved the proposal.

According to the proposal placed by the Ministry of Food, the Directorate General of Food will implement the procurement under Package-01 at a total cost of Tk219.09 crore.

The price of per tonne rice has been fixed at $359.77.

Indian supplier M/S Bagadiya Brothers Private Ltd, Bagadiya Mansion, Ground Floor, has been selected as the lowest responsive bidder for the contract.

At the same meeting, the committee also gave nod to another proposal from the Ministry of Food to import 2.20 lakh tonnes of wheat from the United States through a government-to-government (G2G) arrangement.

The total cost for the wheat import has been estimated at Tk 825.31 crore, with the price per tonne set at $308. US Wheat Associates–authorised firm Agrocorp International Pte Ltd has been nominated to supply the wheat.

Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed, who chaired the meeting, said the government always remains alert regarding the country's rice situation.

"We are bringing in non-Basmati parboiled rice from India and wheat from the USA. The rice import is partly aimed at building reserves — in case domestic procurement or production falls short," he said.

"Having a government buffer stock is always better, as private stocks alone may not stabilise the market. With rice already being transported by trucks again, the move will help ensure adequate supply and maintain price stability," he added.