Two lakh tonnes of rice procurement will be increased from the domestic market. Attempts to import wheat from Bulgaria-Romania.
After wheat, a new crisis has arisen with rice in the world market. India, the world’s largest exporter, has also banned the export of rice to the global market. Along with this, the import of that food product from Ukraine, the biggest source of low-priced non-meat wheat in Bangladesh, has become uncertain. The crisis has arisen due to the non-renewal of the agreement between Russia and Ukraine on the export of food grains.
However, the government’s food ministry and major importers do not see any problem with rice for now. About 20 lakh tonnes of rice and wheat are stored in government warehouses. And privately, there will be no need to import too much rice this time. The government planned to buy five lakh tons of rice and seven lakh tons of wheat. But due to the good production of rice in the country, the import target has been reduced to two lakh tonnes. That will be done if necessary. And in the case of wheat, the amount has been reduced to five lakh tons.
The production of rice in the country has improved considerably. I have imported 70 thousand tons of rice from India this year. It cannot be sold yet. As a result, even if we do not import rice from India this time, we will not have much problem.Rice importer Chitta Mazumdar
Secretary of the Ministry of Food. Ismail Hossain said, “This time the production in our Boro has been good. Hope, there will be a good yield in Aman too. As a result, the rice we have in the country will meet our needs throughout the year. That is why Bangladesh will not have any problems even if India bans the export of rice. And for wheat, we are working with alternative markets outside of Russia and Ukraine. And we are also trying how to continue importing from those two countries.
Bangladesh will have no problem even if India bans rice export. And for wheat, we are working with alternative markets outside of Russia and Ukraine.Md. Ismail Hossain, Secretary, Ministry of Food
According to the sources of the Ministry of Food, to reduce the dependence on the import of rice from abroad, the target of rice procurement from within the country is being increased. This year, a total collection target of 12 lakh 50 thousand tons of rice and paddy was fixed. It will be purchased till August 30. So far over 9 lakh tonnes have been collected. After collecting the rest of the rice by the middle of next month, the Ministry of Food has planned to buy two lakh tons of additional rice. And discussions are going on about bringing wheat from Bulgaria, Belarus, Romania and some other countries. Meanwhile, the process of importing 100,000 tonnes of wheat through international tender is in the final stage.
However, the food situation report released by the Bangladesh government’s food ministry at the beginning of July said that rice production in India has decreased due to weather conditions. As a result, the price of rice is increasing in the country. In the past one month, the price of rice in the retail market within the country has increased by 3 percent.
In a circular issued by the Indian government last Thursday, the export of all types of rice other than basmati was banned. For this reason, the government of the country has brought the issue forward due to heavy rains during the monsoon season. The news agency Reuters reported that due to India’s decision, there is a fear of increasing global food price inflation.
However, the food situation report released by the Bangladesh government’s food ministry at the beginning of July said that rice production in India has decreased due to weather conditions. As a result, the price of rice is increasing in the country. In the past one month, the price of rice in the retail market within the country has increased by 3 percent.
India exports more than 40 percent of rice to the world market. A drop in supplies from other countries after they ban rice exports will fuel food inflation, which is already high due to the Russia-Ukraine war and adverse weather conditions.
According to the notification of the Food Ministry of India, this decision to stop the export of rice will be effective from July 20. However, the ongoing processes for export can be completed by August 31. Also, if the government of any country requests to export rice for their food security, the Indian government can give special permission.
Chitta Majumdar, one of the top rice importers in Bangladesh, told Prothom Alo, “The production of rice in the country has improved significantly this time. I myself have imported 70 thousand tons of rice from India this year. It cannot be sold yet. As a result, even if we do not import rice from India this time, we will not have much problem.
India exports more than 40 percent of rice to the world market. After they ban rice exports, a drop in supplies from other countries will fuel food inflation, which is already high due to the Russia-Ukraine war and adverse weather conditions.
