Country’s rice production from the Aus (March – June) and Aman (May – October) crops in FY 2013-14 (July – June) is estimated at around 15.35 million tons, up about 2% from about 15 million tons produced in FY 2012-13, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).
Rice production from the FY 2013-14 Aus crop, which contributes about 7% of the country’s total production, is estimated at around 2.33 million tons, up about 8% from 2.16 million tons in FY 2012-13. According to earlier estimates, rice production from the FY 2013-14 Boro crop (January – April), which contributes to about 55% of the total Bangladesh rice production, is expected to reach around 18.9 million tons, up slightly from around 18.8 million tons in the previous year. Overall rice production in FY 2013-14 is targeted at around 34.5 million tons, up about 2% from 33.77 million tons produced in FY 2012-13, according to the Directorate General of Food (DGoF).
Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s rice imports in FY 2013-14 have reached 374,560 tons as of March 18, 2014, of which 371,500 tons are imported by the private sector and 3,060 tons are imported by the government. Imports are higher this year despite higher yields partly because of low prices in the international markets. Currently, the export price of Indian parboiled rice is around $410 per ton in the international market, while the wholesale price of the same quality rice is quoted at $430 per ton in Bangladesh.
According to the USDA, Bangladesh’s rice production is estimated at 35.6 million tons in MY 2013-14, up about 5% from an estimated 33.8 million tons in MY 2012-13. The country is expected to import 300,000 tons of rice in 2014, up about 41% from 213,000 tons in 2013.