Bangladesh has decided to go for exploring alternative overseas sources to meet demands for wheat, reports BSS.
It will be done even with higher cost, as the war between Russia and Ukraine blocked ways for importing wheat, the country’s second major staple, from these two wheat producing nations.
“Currently we are getting no wheat from Russia and Ukraine and fell in a situation which prompted us to allow private sector to explore new sources even if it cost a bit higher,” said Mahbubur Rahman, a food ministry official, entrusted with the task of overseeing food imports.
According to Mahbubur Rahman so far the private importers signed deals for importing 6.5 lakh tons of wheat, from Bulgaria, Romania and even from Russia and under their agreements “Bangladesh by now received 3.13 lakh tones”.
“We expect the rest of the volume to come by end of December this year,” he said.
Bangladesh’s domestic average annual wheat production is around 10 lakh (1 million) tons against the demand for 75 lakh tons and 62 percent of the imported wheat come from Russia, Ukraine and India.
Food ministry officials said India too stopped exporting wheat in view of the global crisis to ensure their domestic food security.
After the outbreak of the war Russia had halted its wheat exports across the world but temporarily eased the restriction in principle under which Bangladesh received a consignment of one lakh tone in May this year.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh last received 46,655 tons Ukrainian wheat in May.
“From then on no wheat was available from either of the countries,” an official familiar with the situation said.
Food officials said Russian and Ukrainian wheat were used to be exported in much cheaper prices while India was providing it in lowest price but the situation forced Bangladesh to look for it in other countries including Canada.
The average per tons wheat price in international market (today) on November 9 was US$353.67 which was $258.68 around the year in 2021.
Wheat importers said enhanced wheat price in international market exposed them to a challenge while devaluation of Bangladesh currency has aggravated the crisis.
Food officials said since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, imports fell to rock bottom while the country’s overall food grain stock in public sector now stood at over 15.83 lakh tones --- over 13.64 lakh tons rice, over 2.10 lakh tons wheat and 12,074 tons of paddy.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
