Bangladesh: Wheat imports may exceed 60 lakh tonnes for second year

Bangladesh’s wheat imports are expected to cross 60 lakh tonnes for a second consecutive year, thanks to lower prices in the international market and higher domestic demand for the cereal grain, which is the second most consumed staple after rice.

Data from the food ministry show that the public and private sectors imported 42.5 lakh tonnes of wheat between July 1 and April 10 in the current fiscal year (FY) ending in June. This volume accounts for 64 percent of the total wheat imports in FY24.

Taslim Shahriar, deputy general manager of Meghna Group of Industries (MGI), said overall imports could reach around 63–64 lakh tonnes by the end of this fiscal year.

After declining for three consecutive years, Bangladesh’s wheat imports began to recover in FY24, supported by falling prices in the global market.

In its latest report on grain and feed, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said that since April 2024, Bangladesh has been importing large quantities of wheat — mostly from the Black Sea region — due to lower prices, improved supply chain logistics, and higher demand in the local market.

The USDA forecasted that total imports might rise to 68 lakh tonnes in the current fiscal year.

Citing import data from the first eight months of the year, the US agency projected that the South Asian country may purchase an additional 28 lakh tonnes of wheat in the remaining four months, considering continued demand.

“The prices of hard wheat in exporting countries and soft wheat from Argentina and Brazil fell in March 2025. This price drop is likely to encourage Bangladeshi importers to buy more wheat as they are very sensitive to price changes,” the report said.

The agency noted that Bangladesh, which relies heavily on the international market due to low domestic production, imported 29 lakh tonnes of wheat during the last four months of the previous year.

However, Abul Bashar Chowdhury, chairman of Chattogram-based commodity importer BSM Group, said 15 lakh tonnes of the grain could be imported during the remaining months of the fiscal year.

According to the USDA, approximately 60 percent of Bangladesh’s wheat imports came from Russia, which offered lower prices than other competing countries. Other major suppliers included Ukraine, Canada, and Argentina.

“Bangladesh imported Brazilian wheat in February 2025 for the first time in two years, due to its lower price,” the USDA added.

It further projected that Bangladesh’s wheat imports may rise to 69 lakh tonnes in the next fiscal year, assuming continued demand for wheat and wheat flour in the local market, lower international wheat prices, and smooth global supply chain logistics.

“Apart from human consumption, the use of coarse wheat flour in the feed industry is also increasing, contributing to higher overall demand for wheat,” it said.

Tags: prices, wheat, imports, Market, Bangladesh