Cheap grain triggers excessive wheat imports in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has seen a sharp surge in wheat imports that far exceeds actual market demand. Between October and December of MY 2025–26, the country imported over 2.2 million tonnes of wheat, up 57.7% year-on-year, driven by falling global prices and a lack of coordinated government oversight.

The excessive inflows have severely congested Chattogram Port, where 26 mother vessels carrying nearly 1.5 million tonnes of wheat are stranded at outer anchorage. Importers and port officials say the situation has exposed structural weaknesses in port logistics, including a shortage of lighter vessels needed for unloading.

Bangladesh’s annual wheat demand stands at around 7 million tonnes, while domestic production covers only about 1 million tonnes, forcing reliance on imports. However, monthly consumption averages just 500,000–600,000 tonnes, while recent import volumes have nearly doubled that level, putting intense pressure on port operations.

As a result, unloading times have stretched from the usual 10–12 days to more than a month, leading to mounting demurrage costs for importers. Traders warn these higher logistics expenses could ultimately be passed on to consumers, raising retail prices despite lower global wheat values.

Government officials maintain that wheat remains an import-dependent commodity and that private importers bring in supplies based on capacity and storage availability. Market participants, however, caution that without better coordination and monitoring, port congestion and rising logistics costs could continue to disrupt the supply chain and destabilise the market.

Tags: prices, wheat, Bangladesh