Food grain stocks hit 5-yr high, says food adviser

Bangladesh currently holds its highest level of public food grain stocks in the past five years, eliminating any immediate risk of food shortages, Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumder said on Sunday.
Briefing reporters at the Secretariat on the country's food stock situation, the adviser said the existing reserve position is highly satisfactory, providing an adequate buffer to ensure food security and market stability.
According to official figures, as of January 1, 2026, total food grain stocks in government warehouses stood at 2.02 million tonnes. Of this, 1.69 million tonnes were rice, 0.233 million tonnes wheat, and 0.1 million tonnes paddy.
"The current stock position is the highest compared to the last five years," Mr Majumder said, adding that the government continues to closely monitor supply conditions to prevent any market disruption. He noted that Bangladesh's annual wheat requirement is around 7.0 million tonnes, while domestic production accounts for only about 1.0 million tonnes, making imports necessary to bridge the gap.
Rice consumption, however, is largely met through domestic production, although limited imports are made to stabilise the market. Additional import consignments are currently in the pipeline.
When asked about the expected import volume this year, the food adviser said it was premature to provide an estimate, noting that a clearer picture would emerge in the coming months. He, however, expressed optimism that food grain imports would be lower than in previous years due to strong stock levels and favourable production.
On bilateral trade, Mr Majumder said political developments have not affected economic and trade relations between Bangladesh and India, confirming that food grain trade between the two countries remains uninterrupted. "Rice imports from India continue under normal market mechanisms," he said. "This is not a political issue; it is a buyer-seller relationship based on demand and supply."
Regarding domestic prices, the adviser said rice prices rose modestly last year following natural disasters that occurred soon after the new government assumed office. This year, however, prices have remained within a tolerable range, supported by improved preparedness and timely government interventions. He expressed hope that the current price stability would continue in the coming months.
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