Benapole (Jessore), Aug 23, 2025 : Rice import from India has started again through Benapole land port after four months. In the first consignment, 315 tons of rice arrived in 9 Indian trucks. The import price of rice per kilogram has been estimated at 405 US dollars. Which is equivalent to 51 Bangladeshi taka.
The rice consignment reached Benapole at 10:30 pm on Thursday, said Sajedur Rahman, general secretary of Benapole C&F Staff Association.
Shyamal Kumar Nath, deputy assistant officer of the Plant Quarantine Center at Benapole land port, said that samples of the imported rice were collected on Thursday night, tested and quickly issued certificates so that they could be released quickly.
The official also said that the last rice import through this port was on April 15 this year.
Abdus Samad, owner of the importing company M/s Haji Musa Karim & Sons, said that the import price of rice per kilogram has been set at 405 US dollars. Which is equivalent to 51 taka in Bangladeshi currency. Transportation, taxes, warehouse rent and other ancillary costs will be added to market the rice.
He said that 9 Indian trucks were waiting at Petrapole port in India since Tuesday to import 315 tons of coarse rice. Later, the consignment entered Benapole port on Thursday night.
More rice-laden trucks are waiting at Petrapole port. Bills of entry have been submitted to Benapole customs. He also said that the work of releasing this rice is under process.
Aminul Haque, vice-president of the Benapole Port Importer-Exporter Association, said, “The Ministry of Food invited applications from traders to allow private-sector rice imports to keep the market stable. Applications were accepted from July 23 to August 7 this year.”
“Like the rest of the country, importers at Benapole land port also applied for permission to import rice. With that permission, rice imports from India have resumed through Benapole port after a four-month closure.”
