Dhaka, Nov. 18 -- Bangladesh ramps up rice import to build a contingency stock with the buys having soared over 8,133 per cent in value during the first quarter of the current fiscal year, statistics show.

Officials say the import spree is driven by a sharp fall in international prices of the staple, particularly in neighbouring India.

Bangladesh Bank data released last week show that rice imports jumped to US$148.2 million between July and September 2025, compared with just $1.8 million in the same period a year earlier.

People familiar with the matter told the FE that Indian export prices remained significantly lower since New Delhi withdrew its export restrictions in 2024, prompting local traders to move quickly to exploit the price...