The shipments entered Benapole port via India’s Petrapole port said Benapole Port Director Shamim Hossain.

Md Selim Reza, Benapole

The extended deadline for rice imports ended on April 20, with limited activity recorded at Benapole, the country’s largest land port. During the 40-day extension period, only 1,259 metric tons of coarse rice were imported over just three working days.

The shipments entered Benapole port via India’s Petrapole port and were received at Yard No. 31, said Benapole Port Director Shamim Hossain.

The government extended the import deadline due to a decline in rice imports and rising prices in the domestic market. Initially, 232 importers were permitted to import a total of 200,000 metric tons of rice by March 10. As imports during that period were not satisfactory, the deadline was extended by 40 days—from March 11 to April 20.

iton Hossain, owner of Liton Enterprise based at Nawapara in Jessore, said that within the extended period, his company imported approximately 1,259 metric tons of coarse rice from India over three days. He added that the import cost per kilogram reached Tk 50 at Benapole port, and rice is expected to be sold in the open market at Tk 51 per kilogram.

Published Date: April 22, 2026