Bangladesh resumes Indian wheat imports while diversifying sources
Mir Afroz Zaman
Bangladesh has resumed large-scale purchases of Indian wheat for the first time since 2022, with local importers booking over 200,000 tonnes following New Delhi's decision to lift export restrictions in late August. However, market experts and trade data indicate that the country is maintaining a diversified procurement strategy rather than relying solely on a single origin.
According to market sources, the newly booked Indian wheat is primarily being delivered via rail corridors, including Darshana and Rohanpur, at delivered prices ranging between $305 and $326 per tonne. The proximity of India offers lower freight costs and faster delivery times at a time when Black Sea supply routes remain vulnerable to ongoing conflict disruptions.
Despite the reopening of the Indian market, Bangladeshi traders continue to source wheat from Argentina, Russia, Ukraine, Canada, the United States, and Australia. Importers emphasize that quality, protein content, and gluten characteristics vary across regions, making multi-origin sourcing essential for domestic food processing and milling industries.
Data shows that Bangladesh imported a record 7.4 million tonnes of wheat in the 2025–26 fiscal year, with Argentina supplying approximately 30 percent of the total. Because domestic wheat production covers less than 10 percent of national demand, maintaining flexible supply lines remains a crucial component of Bangladesh's long-term food security policy.
