In a move to control rising rice prices and stabilise the market, the government has authorised 242 private companies to import a total of 5 lakh metric tonnes of rice, including both parboiled and uncooked varieties.
A letter from the Ministry of Food was sent to the Commerce Ministry on Sunday, requesting permission in favour of the allocated companies, according to a press release.
Of the total volume, 4.61 lakh tonnes will be parboiled rice and 39,000 tonnes uncooked rice. All imported rice must contain no more than 5 percent broken grains.
As per the conditions, importers must ensure the entire allocated quantity is marketed within Bangladesh by 30 September. In addition, detailed information regarding the quantity, warehousing, and distribution must be submitted to the respective District Food Controller.
The letter also specifies that no Import Permit (IP) may be issued or used beyond the approved allocation.
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Imported rice must be sold in original packaging—repackaging under a different company name is prohibited.
This measure is part of the government’s pre-emptive strategy to maintain price stability amid concerns that Aman rice production may be impacted by recent flooding.
The decision was finalised at a meeting of the Food Planning and Monitoring Committee, held at the Secretariat on 15 July.