Bangladesh Agriculture Profile 2012

Good harvests of 2011 Boro paddy and winter wheat estimated

The major crops currently harvested are the irrigated Boro rice and wheat. Boro is the major season for rice, accounting for about 50 % of total annual production. This year’s Boro paddy harvest is estimated at a record level of about 19 million tonnes, some 1.6 % above last year’s bumper output. Generally adequate irrigation supplies coupled with distribution of subsidized fertilizer, quality seeds, and electricity power and diesel for irrigation, were responsible for the increase. Similarly, winter wheat crop is as well estimated at a good level of 1 million tonnes.

Record cereal production in 2010

According to the official statistics, another record accumulation cereal production was obtained in 2010 at 52.3 million tonnes including 50.3 million tonnes of paddy (or 33.5 million tonnes of milled rice). Total cereal increase of about 5 % in 2010 over the year before is in line with a historical positive trend since 2001. Owing to good domestic production and some stock build-up, total cereal import requirements during 2011 are expected to be lower than the annual imports in previous years.

Rice and wheat prices have come down since the beginning of 2011

National average price of coarse rice, that in February 2011 had surpassed the past peak achieved in July 2008, have been decreasing in the past three months following the arrival of the new crop into the markets. Despite the declines occurred in recent months, prices of rice in May remained 30 % above their levels of a year ago. Similarly, prices of wheat have declined in the past few months following significant imports, but remain 20 % up from their levels of May 2010.

Localized food insecurity persists

The lingering effects of frequent natural disasters including the drought during early 2010, rat infestation in remote Chittagong Hill Tracts in south-eastern parts of the country, cold wave during the winter months, and other localized problems have lead to international appeals for food and agricultural assistance for the vulnerable populations. The food security situation of the low income people has deteriorated with the high levels of staple food prices.

Reference Date: 11-February-2011

Record cereal harvest in 2010

The paddy crop of the Aman season harvested in November-December is estimated at a record level of 18.8 million tonnes. Including the total harvest of the three seasons, the 2010 annual paddy production is estimated at a record level of 50.3 million tonnes, about 4 % higher than the previous year’s record crop. The 2010 severe hydrological drought notwithstanding, the adequate irrigation promoted by distribution of electricity and diesel coupled with availability of subsidized fertilizer and quality seeds resulted in the significant increase in the Boro season production. On average Boro paddy production accounts for about 57 % of the annual output. The Aman and Aus seasons account for 38 and 5 %, respectively. The 2010 winter wheat crop was as well estimated at a good level of about 0.9 million tonnes, some 6 % increase over the previous year.

Currently the 2011 country’s major crop, irrigated Boro paddy planted in January and winter wheat crop planted during November to January are growing under normal conditions.

As a result of the improved harvests in 2010, the cereal imports in 2010/11 marketing time(July/June) are expected to decline to by about 1 million tonnes from the 4.2 million tonne level of 2009/10.

Food prices continue their upward trends

In spite of a record cereal harvest the country remains a net importer of wheat and rice. Thus the domestic prices of these commodities are influenced by the international prices. Sharp price increases in rice and wheat are especially experienced since mid-2010. Prices have been as well supported by low levels of public stocks as a result of reduced government procurements in the 2010 “Boro” season. In order to fasten enough food stocks and to stabilize markets, Bangladesh announced plans to import nearly 900 000 tons of rice till June this year. Similar to rice, due to the the rising international prices, domestic prices of wheat have kept a general upward trend since August 2010. January 2011 prices of wheat and rice in Dhaka were about-third higher than their corrsponding levels a year ago. The wheat price is still 13 % below the peak of July 2008 but rice price has almost reached the before peak.

Localized food supply and market access difficulties persist

The drought experienced during before in 2010 did not affect the in general national food production. It did, however, lead to severe drinking water shortages in a lot of communities including in the capital city of Dhaka. As well, reportedly rat infestation in remote Chittagong Hill Tracts in south-eastern Bangladesh has made additional than 40 000 people food insecure. Cyclone Aila that hit south western coastal districts in May 2009 had affected additional than 3.9 million people. The lingering effects of natural disasters including recent cold wave have lead to international appeals for food and agricultural assistance for the vulnerable populations. The food security situation of vulnerable groups could further deteriorate with the continuing escalation of staple food prices and needs to be monitored closely.

03/12/2010

Good harvest of 2010 Boro and Aus paddy and winter wheat crops estimated

Rice prices increased sharply in the past months

Localized food supply and market access difficulties persist

The drought experienced during before this year did not affect the in general national food production. It did, however, lead to severe drinking water shortages in a lot of communities including in the capital city of Dhaka. As well, reportedly rat infestation in remote Chittagong Hill Tracts in south-eastern Bangladesh has made additional than 40 000 people food insecure. Cyclone Aila hit south western coastal districts of Bangladesh in May 2009, triggering tidal surges and floods. The cyclone affected additional than 3.9 million people. Food and agricultural assistance are still needed. The food supply situation of vulnerable groups could further deteriorate with the recent increasing trend in food prices.

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