- Government accelerates international procurement to cool domestic prices
- Winning bids show gradual softening in global parboiled market
Bangladesh has intensified its rice procurement programme through a rapid series of international tenders in November, aiming to stabilise domestic markets as retail prices climb despite a strong harvest. Consumer rice inflation has risen about 15 percent year-on-year, and the government is turning to imports to prevent further pressure on household food budgets.
Rising domestic strain pushes Dhaka toward import reliance
Local supplies have tightened following weather-related disruptions and limited mill deliveries to government depots. Although farmers reported a healthy harvest earlier in the season, state reserves remain below comfort levels. With consumption demand proving resilient, the Food Ministry has expedited competitive tendering to secure near-term arrivals and rebuild stocks.
Sequential tender awards illustrate competitive global pricing
A series of back-to-back tender outcomes over the month reflects broad participation from regional and global exporters. Package-01 issued on 21st September and closed on 6th October was led by Bagadiya Brothers Pvt Ltd (India), emerging as the lowest bidder at $359.77 per tonne CFR Bangladesh for 50,000 tonnes of non-basmati parboiled rice. Package-02, issued on 30th September and closed on 15 October, was awarded to CredentOne Dubai at $355.99 per tonne for 50,000 tonnes including the permissible five percent variation. Package-03, part of a 100,000-tonne tender split between Chittagong and Mongla ports issued on 19th October and closed on 3 November, went to Gurudeo Exports (Indore) at $356.78 per tonne.
Tender activity accelerated into mid-month. Package-04, which closed on 6 November, was awarded to Agrocorp International Pte Ltd (Singapore) at $355.59 per tonne. Package-05, issued on 30 October and closed on 13 November under the 2025-26 procurement cycle, was secured by the Aditya Birla Group (Dubai) at $354.19 per tonne for 50,000 tonnes plus optional flexibility. Package-06, with the tender published on 6 November and closed on 20 November, again went to Agrocorp International at $353.11/t for 50,000 t. Subsequently, the most recent tender for Package-07, issued on 17 November and closed on 1 December, was awarded to Nutriagro Overseas OPC Pvt. Ltd. at $351.49/t for 50,000 t, marking the lowest price among all packages so far and signalling continued softness in the global parboiled market.
Policy signals point to continued import momentum
The Food Ministry has already launched another tender for 50,000 tonnes with bids due on December 1, indicating Dhaka’s intent to maintain procurement momentum. Market analysts expect Bangladesh to stay active in the near term to reinforce food security and curb speculative behaviour in the domestic market. The strategy reflects a calibrated approach using external supply to counter inflation while keeping reserve positions well stocked ahead of the next procurement cycle.
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