Over 1 million tons of rice destroyed by floods in Bangladesh

According to the country’s Ministry of Agriculture, this year’s floods have destroyed nearly 1.1 million tons of rice, prompting higher rice imports as food prices increase.

“The government is moving quickly to import 500 000 tons of rice and is expected to allow private sector imports soon,” said an official from the food ministry.

More than 200 000 tons of vegetables were severely damaged by the floods. The estimated total agricultural losses due to flooding in the country are 45 billion taka ($338 million).

Bangladesh’s increased imports may boost exports from India, which reduced the duty on parboiled rice to 10 % in September.

August and October were the months most affected by heavy monsoon rains, causing floods that claimed about 75 lives and impacted millions. The eastern and northern regions bore the brunt of the damage, with the most severe crop losses in the country.

Bangladesh is the third-largest rice producer in the world, typically producing around 40 million tons of rice annually. However, natural disasters often disrupt production and increase the need for imports.

References:

¹ Floods destroy 1.1 million tons of rice in Bangladesh – Reuters– October 20, 2024

² Floods destroy 1.1 million tonnes of rice in Bangladesh – The Strait Times– October 20, 2024

Rishav Kothari

Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.

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