Indian rice exporters and millers have welcomed Bangladesh’s decision to allow private sector imports of 2 lakh metric tonnes of parboiled rice by March 10, 2026, calling it a positive step for trade and an opportunity to expand exports from eastern and southern India.
The move comes amid rising domestic rice prices in Bangladesh, particularly for steam rice, and follows flood-related production losses. The fresh import allocation is in addition to Bangladesh’s earlier plan to import around 9 lakh tonnes of rice in the 2025-26 fiscal year to rebuild stocks and stabilise domestic prices.
The Bangladesh Ministry of Food has specified that the imported rice must be non-aromatic parboiled varieties with no more than 5% broken grains. Importers are required to sell rice in original sacks and report storage and sales details to district food controllers to prevent hoarding.
Industry experts expect traders from West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh to benefit most, given their proximity to Bangladesh and competitive pricing. “Bangladesh has traditionally been a steady buyer of Indian rice, and exporters from Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal are the primary beneficiaries,” said Prem Garg, president of the Indian Rice Exporters Federation (IREF).
Rahul Khaitan, director of Jai Baba Bakreswar Rice Mill, noted that the latest import window responds to domestic market pressures in Bangladesh. “Prices have sharply increased, especially for steam rice varieties. Allowing private sector imports of 2 lakh tonnes will help stabilise the market and enable Indian millers to export additional quantities,” he said.
Of the total 9 lakh tonnes planned for import in FY’26, 5 lakh tonnes are earmarked for private traders, while 4 lakh tonnes are being sourced through government-to-government deals and international tenders. Indian exporters have already shipped over 1.5 lakh tonnes to Bangladesh, with additional international tenders secured for 50,000 tonnes in October 2025.
Indian rice remains cost-competitive, with recent tenders showing white rice priced at USD 351-360 per tonne, compared with Pakistan’s USD 395 per tonne. Following the lifting of export curbs and minimum export prices in March 2025, India’s rice exports surged 19.4% in 2025 to reach 21.55 million tonnes, reinforcing its position as Bangladesh’s largest and most reliable supplier.
