Overview

Bangladesh is responding to severe food shortages caused by recent floods. The country has moved ahead with its plan to import rice. It received a favorable offer in its latest tender. Bangladesh’s state grains buyer received the lowest bid of $477 per tonne. The bid was from Indian supplier Pattabhi Agro Foods. It is for the import of 50,000 tonnes of non-basmati parboiled rice. This tender is part of a broader effort by the Bangladeshi government to stabilize food prices. The plan includes importing up to 500,000 tonnes of rice.

Bidding Details

The competitive tender saw several offers, with five bidders from India and other optional origins vying for the contract. Key offers were as follows:

• Pattabhi Agro Foods submitted the lowest bid at $477 per tonne, a move likely to secure the contract.
• Bagadiya Brothers followed closely with a bid of $477.77 per tonne.
• Other offers included SAEL Agri Commodities at $494.45 per tonne, Agrocorp at $490.56 per tonne, and Halder Venture at $499.77 per tonne (with options to source rice from India, Myanmar, Thailand, or Vietnam).
• Aditya Birla Global Trading offered $479.50 per tonne.

Specifications and Shipping Terms

The rice specifications required in the tender include non-basmati parboiled rice under CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) liner out terms. The delivery must include shipment to either Chattogram or Mongla ports in Bangladesh. Given the urgency of the situation, the awarded supplier must complete shipment within 40 days of the contract’s finalization.

Background and Economic Context

Bangladesh is grappling with food supply pressures after recent flooding damaged an estimated 1.1 million tonnes of rice crops, contributing to significant price hikes in essential commodities. The government is taking action to counter rising prices. They aim to restore market stability. The government has turned to public tenders. They are also considering enabling private import channels to bolster rice availability further.

This rice import initiative is part of a comprehensive national response. It aims to avert potential food security issues. It also seeks to alleviate inflationary pressures on basic foodstuffs.

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Key Data Table: Bangladesh Rice Tender Summary

Category	Details
Tender Overview	Lowest offer of $477/tonne for 50,000 tonnes of rice from India
Import Target	500,000 tonnes total
Flood Impact	Estimated 1.1 million tonnes of rice lost
Lowest Bidder	Pattabhi Agro Foods
Other Bidders and Offers	– Bagadiya Brothers: $477.77/tonne – Aditya Birla Global Trading: $479.50/tonne – Agrocorp: $490.56/tonne – SAEL Agri Commodities: $494.45/tonne – Halder Venture: $499.77/tonne (optional origins)
Rice Specifications	Non-basmati parboiled rice, CIF liner out terms
Destination Ports	Chattogram and Mongla
Shipping Timeline	40 days after contract award