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“Besides, from December this year to March 2026, the estimated demand for rice distribution is about 8.83 lakh tonnes, and it is necessary to maintain a safe stock of 13.50 lakh tonnes of food grains,” he said.

Total public sector demand for rice in the current fiscal year stands at 26.52 lakh tonnes. Even with a good domestic procurement, the government anticipates a shortfall of 4.03 lakh tonnes, which the initial import plan aims to bridge, according to Imam.

DISTRIBUTION DROP IN JULY

Total distribution in July dropped to 1.15 lakh tonnes, down from 1.65 lakh tonnes during the same period last year, earlier, according to the Directorate General of Food. Distribution under the open market sale (OMS) programme also declined significantly.

The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh saw its rice distribution under OMS fall by 27,000 tonnes compared to July last year, due to a reduction in the number of beneficiaries from 1 crore to 55 lakh following reported irregularities.

Additionally, as the market price of flour was lower in July this year compared to the same month last year, the distribution of flour through the Directorate General of Food’s OMS programme also decreased.

Last fiscal year, the Directorate General of Food distributed 27.80 lakh tonnes of subsidised food grains. In the current fiscal year, this amount has increased to 30.41 lakh tonnes

“This is also a historic record in terms of distribution,” said Md Abul Hasanath Humayun Kabir, director general of the Directorate General of Food.

He explained that previously, food grains were distributed over five months each year, but the duration has now increased to six months. Additionally, the number of beneficiaries has risen from 50 lakh to 55 lakh.