Bangladesh is currently facing a shortage of sugar and has decided to turn to Pakistani markets to meet its import needs.
According to sources in the Ministry of Commerce, Bangladesh is looking to import 15,000 metric tons of Pakistani sugar. Bangladesh is currently facing a shortage of sugar. Bangladesh has decided to turn to Pakistan for its import needs.
Sources in the Ministry of Commerce say that in December last year, Bangladesh imported about 25,000 metric tons of sugar from Pakistan through the private sector to meet its local consumption needs. After exporting 25,000 tons of sugar last month, an agreement to import 50,000 metric tons of rice is currently underway, which will be finalized by next week.
Sources said that Bangladesh is importing rice on G2G basis through Trading Corporation of Pakistan. Bangladesh has expressed interest in importing white refined sugar on G2G basis to meet local demand.
According to sources, Bangladesh initially intends to import up to 15,000 metric tons of refined sugar from Pakistan’s current crop. TCB outlined specific requirements for sugar, including preference for medium, clean and dry sugar with an ICUMSA rating not exceeding 45.
Sources said that TCB has requested a cost-and-freight-based “offer price” from Chittagong port of Bangladesh to take a final decision on the import of sugar. TCP will deal with TCB for the export of the required items from Pakistan.
Sources said that TCP is already in talks with TCB for the export of one lakh metric tons of white long grain rice. TCP opened two tenders for the export of rice to Bangladesh on January 6, 2025. About 11 traders participated in the tender in response to TCP’s tender.
Bids ranging from $498.40 per metric ton to $523.50 per metric ton were submitted for the export of 50,000 metric tons of long grain white rice to Bangladesh.