Food Grain Stocks Rise By 148,484 Tonnes In Six Months

The country’s food grain stock has increased by 148,484 metric tonnes in the first six months of the present government, according to officials from the Ministry of Food.

The total food grain stock currently stands at 23,59,154 metric tonnes, up from 22,10,670 metric tonnes on February 10.

The country’s food storage capacity was previously around 24 lakh metric tonnes. Under a special initiative of the BNP-led government, the capacity is planned to increase to 34 lakh metric tonnes within the next five years. So far, storage capacity has already risen to 27 lakh metric tonnes.

Alongside expanding storage facilities, the government has also taken steps to increase the safe food stock threshold.

Previously, 13.5 lakh metric tonnes was considered the safe reserve. The government, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, has now revised the benchmark to 16 lakh metric tonnes.

Officials said there is currently no concern over the country’s food situation, attributing the stability to the government’s food security measures.

According to the latest data from the Directorate General of Food, government food grain stocks are at a satisfactory level. The total stock comprises 20,36,102 metric tonnes of rice, 2,32,183 metric tonnes of wheat and 34,070 metric tonnes of paddy.

Including floating stocks—grains currently in transit or undergoing processing—the total stands at 23,59,154 metric tonnes. Of this, 68,723 metric tonnes of wheat are classified as floating stock.

Officials said the rise in food grain stocks has been more significant compared with the tenure of the previous Awami League government.

Stakeholders said adequate food reserves would help maintain normal market supplies, stabilise prices and address emergency situations.

Meanwhile, progress has been made in the ongoing Boro procurement drive. As of September 9, 2026, the government had procured 16,83,195 metric tonnes of food grains, including paddy and rice, for the 2025–26 fiscal year.

Of the total, 5,78,140 metric tonnes were paddy, 12,01,568 metric tonnes were parboiled rice and 1,05,313 metric tonnes were Atap rice. The government also procured 523 metric tonnes of wheat.

Food grain imports are also underway to prevent potential shortages and strengthen reserves.

Between July 1 and September 9, 2026, a total of 8,27,700 metric tonnes of food grains were imported through public and private channels. The government imported 65,860 metric tonnes, while the private sector imported 7,61,840 metric tonnes.

Food ministry officials said the government is implementing an integrated plan covering production, procurement, imports and stockpiling to ensure food security. They said stock levels are being monitored regularly to maintain an adequate food supply.

Mohammad Kamrul Islam Chowdhury, joint secretary of the ministry’s procurement wing, told BSS that the domestic food grain procurement drive for the current season was progressing successfully.

He said government warehouses currently hold adequate and secure stocks of rice and wheat, which would provide a strong foundation for handling emergencies and ensuring national food security.

Mahbubur Rahman, director general of the Food Planning and Monitoring Unit, said the government was continuously working to adjust food grain stocks and storage capacity in line with rising national demand.

He said adequate rainfall this season had raised hopes of achieving the desired Aman harvest targets, adding that the government expected to exceed its Aman procurement target.

Mahbubur also noted that rising international wheat prices could increase import costs. However, he said the government had contingency plans, including distributing rice instead of wheat under the Food-Friendly Programme.

Given the current situation, there is no possibility of a food crisis, he said.