Bangladesh Rice Imports Rise Despite FAO Forecast Of 62 Million Ton Paddy Production In 2025

By Megha Bajaj

Bangladesh is hitting the headlines in the mainstream media regarding its rice imports. The country is currently importing rice from several countries, including India, due to its rice consumption needs. Meanwhile, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has released a forecast predicting an increase in Bangladesh's rice production. Specifically, the FAO estimates that the rice crop sown in 2025 in Bangladesh could yield 62 million tons of paddy, which is 2.4 per cent more than last year's paddy production. According to FAO’s findings, the increase in Bangladesh production is largely attributed to the sowing during the Aman and Boro seasons.

Paddy Production from 2025 crop will be above average- UN agency FAO

The UN agency FAO estimates that paddy production from the 2025 crop will be above average.  It is said that the average national production between 2020 and 2024 was 58.3 million tons. In its country brief on Bangladesh released at the end of last month, the UN agency stated that the harvesting of the Aman crop, which accounts for approximately 35 percent of annual production, will be completed by the end of December 2025. Paddy Production is expected to be above average, significantly due to expectations of a bumper harvest and favourable weather conditions. Meanwhile, regarding the 2025 rice crop in Bangladesh, according to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), the area under rain-fed Aman cultivation in Bangladesh increased by 5.5 percent year-on-year to 5.923 million hectares in 2025. The FAO also mentioned last year's Boro crop, which accounts for approximately 55 percent of total production, and stated that production is estimated at a record 31.7 million tons, reflecting increased sowing in response to high prices at planting time and good yields due to favorable weather.

Indian Exporters Welcomed Bangladesh’s Decision To Import Parboiled Rice

 

DAE estimates showed that the area under Boro cultivation in Bangladesh increased by 3.35 percent year-on-year to 5.05 million hectares in 2025.  Notably, despite the increase in domestic rice production in Bangladesh, the UN agency has projected above-average grain imports. This is reflected in the continuous volume of rice being imported by Bangladesh. Recently, the interim government of Bangladesh approved the import of 200,000 metric tons of parboiled rice from India. Indian rice exporters and millers have welcomed Bangladesh's decision to approve the import of 200,000 metric tons of parboiled rice from India.

Indian millers found this move to be an opportunity to boost trade between the two nations and, in particular, to increase exports from South India. In recent months, the Bangladeshi government has been continuously approving rice imports. Rice from the Aman season (July-August planting) is now reaching the Bangladeshi market, and farmers are preparing their fields for the crucial Boro season, yet the Bangladeshi government has not approved new rice imports by the private sector. Now, this has raised concerns among farmers about potential price shocks.

Bangladesh Currently Has Its Highest-Ever Rice Stock

Bangladeshi farmers and agricultural economists have warned that allowing imports when there is ample domestic supply could depress farm prices, harm Aman farmers, and reduce the number of farmers cultivating during the current Boro season, the country's largest rice production cycle. Data from the Bangladeshi government shows that Bangladesh currently has its highest-ever rice stock. It is reported that there is a good stock in government warehouses, and there is no immediate pressure on supply, yet rice imports continue, raising questions. It is noteworthy that on January 18, the Bangladeshi government approved 232 private companies to import 200,000 tons of parboiled rice. Regarding Bangladesh's rice import plans for the financial year 2026, the country is expected to import 900,000 tons of rice this year.  Of this, private traders will be allowed to import 500,000 tons, while the remaining 400,000 tons are expected to be sourced through government-to-government deals and international tenders. At the same time, the FAO estimates that Bangladesh's paddy crop harvested in 2025 could yield 62 million tons of paddy, which would be 2.4 per cent higher than last year's production.

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