Online Desk: The decision has been made considering the country’s food situation, the Ministry of Agriculture says

The government has restricted the export of rice, including different varieties of aroma rice, considering the country’s food situation.

Based on decisions from the Food Planning and Monitoring Unit and the Ministry of Agriculture, an MOA policy unit issued a letter asking the authorities to abide by the restrictions on rice export on Tuesday.

The letter has been sent to the governor of Bangladesh Bank, the chairman of the National Board of Revenue, secretaries of Commerce, Civil Aviation and Tourism and Food, the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh and the vice-chairman of the Export Promotion Bureau.

The Food Planning and Monitoring Unit recommended the restrictions on rice exports on Oct 8 considering the country’s overall food situation, the letter stated.

Earlier on Sept 10, the secretary of the agriculture ministry decided to suspend rice exports to ensure food security.

According to the export policy, aroma rice could be exported with the government’s permission despite a ban on rice export. The government allowed 28 firms to export around 25,000 tonnes of aroma rice in 2021.

The government further put restrictions on the export in 2022 but lifted the ban several months ago.

Kalijira, Chinigura, Kataribhog, Basmati, Tulsimala and BR-38 varieties of aroma rice were on the export list.