Dhaka/New Delhi, Apr 16 (UNI) An Indian vessel carrying 10,000 tonnes of rice arrived at Bangladesh’s Chattogram Port on Tuesday, days after India exported an additional 36,100 tonnes of parboiled rice to its eastern neighbour.
The rice, shipped in a vessel named MV Phu Thanh, was bought under an open tender contract signed on March 2, 2025. Under the contract, a total of five lakh metric tonnes of rice will be imported from India by Bangladesh to address its food shortages.
On April 12, India had exported 36,100 tonnes of parboiled rice to Bangladesh, via the MV Frosso K vessel in Chattogram’s GCB terminal.
So far, 3.53 lakh metric tonnes of rice have already arrived in the country from India as per the agreement.
The sample testing of the rice stored on the ship has been completed and the process of unloading the rice will begin promptly, according to the Dhaka Tribune.
The imports aim to stabilise domestic rice supply in Bangladesh and ensure food security amid fluctuating market conditions.
Since last year, Bangladesh has faced a severe decline in many sectors, including agriculture, with severe rains, and droughts causing decline in food supply. The problems have been exacerbated due to the socio-political as well as massive economic instability, corruption, and the country’s inability to meet the global food price hikes.
Despite the souring of bilateral ties since the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government, India has been actively helping Dhaka overcome its drastic fall in food supply, with rice being one of the key food items affected.
UNI ANV RN