Imports of essential commodities such as wheat, lentils, onions, and chillies from India through Benapole port saw a significant decline in the 2024-25 fiscal year, resulting in a trade deficit of over 73,000 tonnes compared to the previous fiscal year despite a slight increase in rice imports.
According to data from the Benapole Plant Quarantine Centre, the total volume of imported essential goods through the port in FY2023-24 stood at 1,08,059 tonnes. However, in FY2024-25, the figure dropped drastically to 34,860 tonnes — a year-on-year decrease of 73,199 tonnes.
Bangladesh imported through Benapole in FY2023-24 includes: 21,384 tonnes of rice, 78,947 tonnes of lentils, 200 tonnes of onions, 431 tonnes of ginger, 7,152 tonnes of chillies, and 4,963 tonnes of potatoes.
In FY2024-25, the import volumes were: 1,150 tonnes of rice, 1,000 tonnes of lentils, 15,295 tonnes of onions, 60 tonnes of ginger, 9,447 tonnes of chillies, and 3,084 tonnes of potatoes. No sugar or wheat was imported in either fiscal year.
People involved in trade said the situation arose because of continuing bans on several products, rising export prices, and various conditions imposed by India.
Meanwhile, the government has not yet implemented a quota agreement with India for importing eight essential commodities, even three years after it was signed.
As a result, the deficit in food imports continues to increase every year, keeping the prices of daily necessities high throughout the year.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, Bangladesh's annual demand for onions is 32 lakh tonnes, while production stands at 27 lakh tonnes. Annual rice demand is 3.6 crore tonnes, while production stands at 4.15 crore tonnes.
Demand for sugar is 18–20 lakh tonnes, but production is only 1 lakh tonnes. Wheat demand is 70 lakh tonnes, while production stands at 12 lakh tonnes.
Annual potato demand is 90 lakh tonnes, and production last year was 1.29 crore tonnes. Demand for ginger is 3 lakh tonnes, with production of around 2 lakh tonnes. Demand for garlic is 6 lakh tonnes, and production last year was 6.09 lakh tonnes.
Source: TBS
Bd-pratidin English/ ANI
