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Bangladesh’s reliance on imported wheat and maize leaves its food supply chain exposed to fluctuations in international grain markets, while growing demand from the food-processing, livestock feed and industrial sectors is increasing import requirements.
The country is projected to require 9.1 million tonnes of imported cereals in the 2026-27 marketing year, including 6.8 million tonnes of wheat and 1.8 million tonnes of maize, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Economist and researcher Dr Jahangir Alam Khan told the Daily Sun that Bangladesh’s food security would increasingly depend on its ability to balance domestic production with reliable and affordable access to international grain markets.
He said strengthening domestic agricultural productivity, improving public grain storage, diversifying import sources and ensuring timely procurement would be important for food security.
He also noted that the expansion of the processed-food, poultry, livestock and aquaculture industries was driving demand for wheat and maize.
Wheat imports account for major share
Bangladesh’s domestic wheat production is insufficient to meet national demand, leaving the country dependent on imports to supply households, flour mills, bakeries and food-processing industries, according to Dr Jahangir Alam Khan.
The FAO estimates the country’s wheat import requirement at 6.8 million tonnes in the 2026-27 marketing year, around 5% above the average.
Bangladesh Bank data show that the country spent $461.4 million on wheat imports during July-September of fiscal year (FY) 2026-27, up 66% from $277.9 million in the corresponding period of FY2025-26.
Rice production and imports
The FAO estimates Bangladesh’s aggregate paddy production at 61.9 million tonnes in 2026, around 5% above the average.
The 2026 Boro crop is estimated at 31.9 million tonnes, while Aus production is estimated at 4.1 million tonnes.
Flooding and landslides between May and July caused localised crop losses in several southeastern and northeastern districts, according to the FAO. The Aman crop was still at the vegetative stage when the organisation prepared its September country brief.
Bangladesh Bank data show that rice import expenditure declined to $12.4 million during July-September of FY2026-27, compared with $148.2 million in the same period of FY2025-26.
Maize imports meet growing feed demand
Demand from the poultry, livestock and aquaculture industries is driving Bangladesh’s maize imports, according to the USDA.
The USDA’s Bangladesh grain market estimates project domestic maize production at around 6 million tonnes in the 2026-27 marketing year, while imports are expected to reach approximately 1.8 million tonnes.
Brazil is the largest supplier of imported maize, while India and the United States are also among the country’s suppliers.
Food grain import payments rise
Bangladesh Bank data show that the country spent $473.8 million on food grain imports during July-September of FY2026-27, compared with $426.1 million in the corresponding period of FY2025-26, an increase of 11.2%.
Millions face acute food insecurity
Around 18.1 million people in Bangladesh are projected to face high levels of acute food insecurity between September and December 2026, according to the FAO’s September 2026 country brief.
The FAO attributed the situation to constrained household purchasing power amid persistently high inflation, elevated fuel and energy costs, and the effects of flooding on livelihoods.