March 7, 2012

As purchases by private traders decline, Bangladesh reportedly plans to maintain in 2012 state imports of wheat at 900,000 tonnes.

According to reports, imports declined 32% to 1.29 million tonnes in the eight months through February from 1.9 million tonnes in the same period a year earlier, according to data from Bangladesh's central bank.

Badrul Hasan, director of procurement at the state-owned Directorate General of Food was quoted as saying that a letter send to the ministry of finance seeking permission for further imports to build reserves and maintain adequate supplies. Bangladesh will import 750,000 tonnes in the year ending June 30, less than the 900,000 tonnes targeted by the government in June last year, citing slowing demand because of increased rice supply.