Rice imports through Benapole port accelerate before Aman season

Rice imports through Benapole Land Port have gathered pace ahead of the upcoming Aman marketing season, with 3,220 tonnes of non-basmati coarse rice entering the country over the past 11 consecutive days via India’s Petrapole port.
Benapole Port Director Shamim Hossain confirmed the development.
The rice was imported by Haji Musa Karim & Sons, while customs clearance is being handled by C&F agent Bhuiya Enterprise. 
The firm’s proprietor, Abdus Samad, said nearly 90 trucks transported the consignments during the 11-day period, with the landed cost at Benapole averaging around Tk50 per kilogram.
Amid volatility in the domestic rice market, the government on 18 February allowed 232 importers to bring in 2 lakh tonnes of rice under a directive issued by the Ministry of Food. 
According to the order, the imported rice must be marketed by 3 March. Although import and clearance processes are being expedited to meet the deadline, importers have indicated that an extension may be required to complete the shipments efficiently. Earlier, between 21 August 21 and 30 November last year, some 18,011 tonnes of rice were imported through Benapole over 55 operational days within a 100-day window. 
The consignments arrived in 155 shipments carried by about 580 trucks. After imports were suspended on 15 April, shipments resumed on 21 August following renewed approval from the Ministry of Food.
Officials at the Benapole Plant Quarantine Station said the imported rice is being inspected and cleared promptly at Shed No. 31. Four to five C&F agents are currently working simultaneously at the customs house to ensure quick release. 
Authorities added that unless the government extends the deadline, rice imports will stop after the stipulated date.
Market impact and price trends
The fresh imports appear to have helped stabilise prices in the domestic market. Traders at Benapole market said retail prices have fallen by Tk3-4 per kilogram since Indian rice began entering the market.
In Jashore markets, Indian Swarna-5 rice is selling at Tk48-50 per kg, while the Shampa variety is priced at Tk66-68 per kg. Locally produced new Swarna rice is slightly cheaper at Tk47-48 per kg.
However, stakeholders noted that the full supply of Aman paddy has yet to reach markets. Farmers in several areas have started harvesting the crop, and traders expect that as new rice supplies increase gradually, prices may decline further. A stronger domestic supply could also ease reliance on imports in the coming months.
Ziaur Rahman, general secretary of the Benapole Importers and Exporters Association, said rice imports through multiple ports have contributed to partial market stabilisation.
He added that once Aman-season rice becomes widely available, the need for imports is likely to diminish.
Prof Dr Selim Toha, a market analyst and former treasurer of Kushtia Islamic University, emphasised that while imports can provide short-term relief, long-term price stability will depend on strengthening domestic production.
“Enhancing supply from the Aman harvest and reducing structural dependence on imports are more sustainable solutions for ensuring food security and price stability,” he said.