US corn shipment arrives for first time in 8 yrs

The first shipment of US corn to Bangladesh since 2018 has arrived at Chattogram port, marking a renewed chapter in agricultural trade between the two countries and giving Bangladeshi feed millers access to American grain after a prolonged hiatus.

The 57,855-tonne consignment of yellow corn reached the port recently, a spokesperson of the US embassy in Dhaka said on Wednesday. The grain was harvested during the 2025-26 crop year in the US states of North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota, and shipped from Vancouver, Washington.

US embassy officials described the delivery as the first opportunity in eight years for Bangladesh's feed industry to source US-grown corn, widely regarded for its consistency and quality in animal nutrition. Bangladesh's fast-growing poultry and livestock sectors have faced rising feed costs and supply volatility in recent years, increasing interest in diversified import sources.

Erin Covert, the agricultural attaché at the US embassy in Dhaka, visited Chattogram port to welcome the vessel, accompanied by representatives of a consortium of local buyers. The group included three of Bangladesh's leading feed and poultry producers: Nahar Agro Group, Paragon Group, and Nourish Poultry and Hatchery Limited.

A representative of United Grain Corporation (UGC), one of the major US grain exporters involved in the shipment, said the delivery carried both commercial and symbolic significance.

"We are honoured to be part of the first shipment of United States corn to Bangladesh in eight years," the official said. "We appreciate the work of all those involved in making this possible and look forward to supplying Bangladesh with US grains for years to come."

mirmostafiz@yahoo.com