Bangladesh imported 18,011 tonnes of rice through the Benapole land port over the past four months, as part of a government effort to stabilise the domestic rice market.
The official import deadline expired on November 30, port authorities said.
To curb rising rice prices, the government opened all land and sea ports for rice imports earlier this year. Shipments through Benapole began on August 21, with monthly arrivals as follows:
August: 1,260 tonnes
September: 5,435 tonnes
October: 5,188 tonnes
November: 6,128 tonnes
Imported rice is cleared by four to five C&F agents at the Benapole Customs House, with unloading carried out at Shed No. 31.
Local traders say the imports have already helped cool prices.
“Since Indian rice began entering the market, prices have fallen by Tk 3–4 per kg,” said Hafizur Rahman, a retailer in Benapole. “When newly harvested aman rice arrives in full supply, prices will fall further, reducing the need for imports.”
In Benapole and surrounding areas, Indian Swarna-5 rice is selling for Tk 48–50 per kg, while the Shampa variety is priced at Tk 66–68. Newly harvested local Swarna rice is available at Tk 47–48 per kg. The full aman harvest has yet to reach the market.
Bablur Rahman, a representative of a C&F agency, said most of the consignments were cleared through Bhuiyan Enterprise.
Aminul Haque Anu, vice-president of the Benapole Importers and Exporters Association, said shipments were irregular but increased sharply near the end of the deadline.
“Imports surged again in November. Combined imports across all ports have contributed to a more stable rice market,” he said.
According to Sajedur Rahman, general secretary of the Benapole C&F Agents Staff Association, rice imports resumed after the Food Ministry allowed new LCs to be opened.
“From August 21 to November 30, 100 days in total, rice arrived on 55 working days, amounting to 18,011 tonnes,” he said. “With aman harvesting now underway, prices are expected to drop further, he added.”
Shyamal Kumar Nath, deputy assistant officer at the Benapole Plant Quarantine Center, said that 155 consignments carried by 580 trucks entered the port over three months and 10 days.
On the final day of the import window alone, 6,128 tonnes arrived.
“We have not received any directive about extending the import deadline,” he said. “Without new approval, rice imports will remain suspended. All incoming consignments have been tested and released promptly.”
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