CAB urges restriction until Eid.

 Yasir Wardad

The interim government’s decision to allow exports of aromatic rice ahead of the holy month of Ramadan has triggered a price hike in the local market.

Iqbal Rahman, a grocer on Sher Shah Suri Road in Mohammadpur, said major suppliers like Square Group, PRAN-RFL Group, Akij Group, and City Group raised prices from the first week of this month. He said prices started rising just before Shab-e-Barat on February 3.

Harun-ur-Rashid, a dealer of rice, edible oil, spices, and other consumer goods, in Mohammadpur said that continued exports and rising local demand ahead of Ramadan and Eid caused the price hike.

He said that six to seven companies dominate both the packaged and loose aromatic rice market. As demand typically increases before Ramadan, it puts pressure on supply.

An official of an exporting company said aromatic rice exports are limited to about 10,000 tonnes, compared to local production of 2.0-2.2 million tonnes. He claimed that such a small volume should not significantly affect the domestic market.

However, the government has extended the deadline for exporting aromatic rice until April 30. On February 8, the commerce ministry sent a letter to the Office of the Chief Controller of Imports and Exports, with copies also sent to 61 companies that received export permission.

The previous export deadline ended on December 31. After receiving applications from companies, the government extended the period. In April last year, companies were allowed to export between 100 and 500 tonnes based on their capacity.

The government also set a minimum export price of $1.60 per kg. At an exchange rate of Tk 123 per dollar, this equals about Tk 196.8 a kg.

Earlier on May 28, 2025, the Ministry of Commerce allowed 52 companies to export 5,800 tonnes of aromatic rice.

Before that, on April 8, 2025, the ministry approved exports of 18,150 tonnes for 133 companies. In total, export approvals in two phases reached 23,950 tonnes.

Bangladesh began exporting aromatic rice in the 2009-10 fiscal year. Rice exports were stopped for the first time in 2022. Earlier, in October 2013, the government also suspended aromatic rice exports due to sharp price increases in the local market.

According to the Export Promotion Bureau, exporters shipped aromatic rice worth $43 million during the July-January period (HS Code 10063011) of this financial year.

SM Nazer Hossain, vice chairman of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), said if exports do not affect the local market, then it is acceptable. “But it is unreasonable to keep exports open just before Ramadan and Eid,” he said.

He said that although the interim government extended the export period, the newly-formed government should immediately impose restrictions to keep prices affordable for low- and middle-income people.

According to the agriculture and commerce ministries, Bangladesh produces around 2.0-2.2 million tonnes of aromatic rice each year, while local demand is estimated at 1.2-1.5 million tonnes.

Published Date: February 18, 2026