After almost two years, rice import from India has started through Benapole port. On Monday morning, a shipment of 211 metric tons of rice in 6 trucks from India entered the transshipment yard at the port.

An importing company named Mahabubul Alam Food Products of Jessore is the first to import non-basmati rice. Another 100 tonnes of rice from the importer is awaiting entry at the Benapole port. C&F agent Hussain & Sons is in charge of unloading rice from Benapole port.

Ziaur Rahman, manager of C&F agent, said that the import price of imported rice is 45 thousand 150 US dollars. Which is 54 lakh 18 thousand in Bangladeshi Taka. The price of imported rice has fallen to around Tk 52 per kg. Along with that there are LC, export, transportation, port rent, bank and other expenses. Accordingly, the price of rice per kg stands at 55 taka.

The importers said that due to the increase in the price of rice in the country's market, the government withdrew the import duty. As a result, rice import has started from Monday. Imports will increase as India also opens prices for rice exports. The price in the country's market will be controlled quickly.

Among the 24 importers, 12 importers from Jessore area have received permission to import 73,000 Siddha and 19,000 atap rice. Traders doubt whether everyone will be able to import rice. Because it is not possible to import and market all the rice by December 10.

Hemant Kumar Sarkar, deputy assistant of Benapole check post plant contamination center, said that the importing company Mahabubul Alam Food Products has taken the IP certificate of 105 metric tons of rice in the first shipment. Another 100 MT of rice from this importer is scheduled to enter Benapole port. On July 20, 2023, India banned the export of parboiled and parboiled rice outside the country.

Rabindra Singha, Deputy Commissioner of Benapole Customs House, said that the Food Ministry gave permission to 24 importers to import rice on November 11. Of this, 120,000 metric tons of parboiled rice and 55,000 metric tons of parboiled rice were allowed to be imported. According to the conditions of the Ministry of Food, the allotted importers have to market all the rice in Bangladesh by December 10. The quantity of imported rice, storage and marketing details should be informed to the concerned District Food Controller, IPs in excess of the allocation cannot be issued, imported rice cannot be repackaged in the name of any other establishment. Imported rice must be sold in sacks.

Benapole Land Port Deputy Director (Traffic) Sajib Nazir said that the first shipment of 105 metric tons of rice at Benapole Port entered the port's transshipment yard at night. All the field level officers have been instructed to check the documents after clearance from the customs and issue them quickly.