Shippers say shipments at risk in view of the unrest and also point to Dhaka’s ban on export of raw jute to New Delhi.

By Subramani Ra Mancombu

A section of exporters wants the Indian government to ban rice exports to Bangladesh, following attacks on Indians, particularly the Assistant High Commissioner’s office in Chattogram last week. 

The exporters say that the situation is so alarming that shipments to Bangladesh are at risk. They also point out how Bangladesh has banned exports of raw jute, forcing Indian jute mills to cut production. 

The section of the exporters, which is hurt over the current developments in Bangladesh, wonders if New Delhi should risk and ship rice cargo since India and its citizens are being targeted.

The aggrieved group of exporters says the government should act to avoid risky exports. Those seeking a strong reaction from India say that if the government does not ban, then exporters should quote a higher price for rice to Bangladesh.

Visa operations suspended

Last week,  the assistant high commissioner’s office in Chattogram, Bangladesh, was attacked by protesters following the death of Bangladeshi youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi. India has suspended visa operations from Chattogram. 

On the other hand, Dhaka suspended its visa operations from New Delhi on Monday after about two dozen protesters demonstrated before its  High Commission office in protest against the killing of Deepu Chand Das, a member of the minority community, in Mymensingh city in Bangladesh.

“Exporters should not bid for the rice import tenders floated by the Bangladesh government,” said a Delhi-based exporter, speaking on the condition of anonymity in view of the gravity of the situation.

Bangladesh plans to import at least 9,00,000 tonne of rice during 2025-26 in tranches of 50,000 tonne each to build strategic stocks and stabilise domestic prices. 

Pricey Pak rice

Of this, 2 lakh tonne are to be imported on a government-to-government arrangement from Myanmar, Vietnam and Pakistan. The rest of the volume will be met through tenders in which private traders from abroad can take part, with parboiled rice making up six lakh tonne and white rice the rest.

So far, 10 such tenders have been floated with bids to offer rice for the tenth tender ending on Monday. Indian exporters have been the lowest bidders or offered the lowest price for rice in six of the ten tenders. 

The lowest bid in the first tender was $359.77 a tonne. It dropped to a low of $351.11 in the eighth tender before rebounding to $359.77 in the 10th tender. However, under the G2G arrangement, Pakistan will supply at $395 a tonne. 

“Indian prices are $40 a tonne cheaper than what Pakistan is offering to Bangladesh. Indians need to wake up as competition between themselves is killing the export sector,” said a South-India based shipper.

‘Wait & watch’ welcome

“Why should India offer rice at a lower price when, under G2G, Bangladesh is paying $40 more?” wondered the North Indian exporter.

“Let them pay more for targeting India, which has helped Bangladesh in various ways right from its gaining Independence in 1971,” said the South India-based exporter.

Defence analysts say any attack on the Indian mission in Bangladesh is seen as an offensive act. However, they said India’s strategy of “waiting and watching” is welcome.

A defence expert pointed out how Indians paid a ₹0.05 cess on bus tickets and a ₹0.25 levy on cinema tickets to help rebuild Bangladesh under a relief fund. 

India most competitive

A meeting of exporters on the Bangladesh situation during the weekend did not yield any result. A key issue confronting Indian rice exporters is that they have to pay a $300,000 deposit when they buy the tender papers. If they do not bid, they will lose the amount paid as an earnest money deposit (EMD).

“If you quote and your offers are priced high, you will get back the EMD. So, why not quote higher prices?” asked the north Indian exporter.

Globally, Indian rice is the most competitive, with its white rice being offered at 5 per cent at $351 a tonne. While Pakistan is offering the rice at $356, Vietnam is quoting it at $365 and Thailand at $430.

In the parboiled sector, India’s offers are at $355, Pakistan’s at $387 and Thailand’s at $446. Vietnam does not offer parboiled rice. 

Published Date: December 23, 2025