To ensure that domestic farmers get a fair price for rice, the government banned the import of rice from 31 August last year. The rice market was on the upswing in the ‘boro’ season as well. Therefore, the import ban has been lifted and permission has been given to import rice again. And in the light of that permission, after more than 10 months rice is coming from neighbouring country India through Benapole port of Jessore.
On Sunday (17 July) morning, the second shipment of 407 tonnes of rice priced at 340 dollars per metric tonne (Tk 30 thousand and 650) entered Benapole port. Earlier last Thursday (14 July) the first shipment of 105 tonnes of rice arrived at Benapole port. The importers of which are M/s Belal Hossain and M/s Lipu Enterprises.
Tk 9.50 is to be paid per kg as import duty at the rate of 27.50% duty on imports. Imported parboiled (coarse golden rice) will be sold at Tk 47-48 per kg in the domestic market.
