The government has cut the approved export quota for fragrant rice by 50% to maintain normal rice supplies in the domestic market, ensure food security and contain potential price pressures.
A notification issued by the Export-2 branch of the Ministry of Commerce has revised the quantities previously approved for 278 exporters, reducing their allocations by half.
The revised allocations will take effect immediately, while the approvals will remain valid until 31 December 2026.
Under the revised arrangement, large food-processing companies as well as medium- and small-scale exporters will not be allowed to export more than half of their previously approved quantities of fragrant rice.
10 mandatory conditions imposed on exports
Alongside the quota reduction, the Ministry of Commerce has imposed 10 mandatory conditions to strengthen oversight, accountability and the repatriation of export earnings.
Under the new conditions, exporters must comply with the provisions of the Export Policy 2024–27, while their approvals will remain valid until 31 December 2026.
Customs authorities will verify the quality and authenticity of the product before each shipment is exported. Exporters must also submit relevant documents to the Export-2 branch of the Ministry of Commerce after each consignment is shipped.
Those applying for new export approvals in the future will have to provide complete information and evidence of actual exports against their previously approved quotas.
Exporters will not be allowed to exceed their revised approved quantities under any circumstances.
To safeguard the price of the product in the international market, the government has set a minimum FOB export price of $1.60 per kilogramme.
The approvals are completely non-transferable, and exports cannot be carried out through subcontractors or other companies.
The government may cancel any approval at any time in the public interest without providing prior notice or a reason.
Exporters will also be required to submit a Proceeds Realisation Certificate (PRC) as proof that export earnings have been repatriated to Bangladesh.
The Ministry of Commerce had earlier approved the export of 45,270 metric tonnes of fragrant rice in favour of 278 companies in two phases.
As of 30 August 2026, 129 of those companies had exported a total of 2,419 metric tonnes of fragrant rice.
The government said that while earning foreign currency through exports remains important, ensuring the supply and price stability of food items in the domestic market must take priority.
Against this backdrop, the government has reduced the approved quota for fragrant rice exports by 50% and imposed stricter conditions on export prices, quantities, documentation and the repatriation of export earnings.
Under the new arrangement, exporters will have to operate within their approved limits and provide complete records of their previous export activities when applying for future approvals.
The government said the initiative is not aimed at completely stopping fragrant rice exports, but at ensuring that exports are conducted in a controlled and sustainable manner while maintaining food security and market stability at home.
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