Bangladesh’s rice imports surged nearly 79 per cent year on year in July–January of FY26, reflecting a broader rise in import demand amid government’s push for food security, according to the Bangladesh Bank.
Overall imports rose by $1.59 billion, or 3.91 per cent, to $42.10 billion, up from $40.52 billion in the same period last year.
Food grain imports saw a sharp increase, rising by $408.80 million, or 36.1 per cent, to $1.54 billion, compared with $1.13 billion in the same period of FY25.
Rice alone climbed to $326.91 million from $182.71 million a year earlier.
“The government’s decision to withdraw duty on rice in late 2024 was aimed at ensuring food security, which is why we are now seeing higher rice imports,” said Mutual Trust Bank Managing Director and CEO Syed Mahbubur Rahman.
Intermediate goods imports also rose, increasing by $1.20 billion, or 4.8 per cent, to $26.17 billion, up from $24.97 billion in the same period of FY25.
Among these, crude petroleum imports nearly doubled, rising about 90 per cent to $746.02 million from $393.38 million in the same period last year.
“Our natural gas supply is declining, which has increased our dependency on diesel,” Rahman said.
“At the same time, energy prices have risen, and that is why we are seeing such a surge,” he added.
Capital goods imports grew modestly, up $150.95 million, or 2.61 per cent, reaching $5.92 billion, compared with $5.77 billion in the same period last year.
Imports of capital machinery saw a slight increase of 5.08 per cent, rising to $1.86 billion from $1.77 billion.
In contrast, imports of consumer goods declined by $72.91 million, or 2.47 per cent, falling to $2.88 billion from $2.95 billion in the same period last year.
Rahman said the upward trend in imports is likely to continue.
“Imports will rise further, as prices and demand for many items have increased,” he said.
