Representational image.

DHAKA, Sept 8, 2026 (BSS) - The government has reduced the approved export quota for aromatic rice by 50 percent to maintain normal domestic supply, ensure food security and contain possible price pressures in the local market.

According to a notification issued by the Export-2 branch of the Ministry of Commerce, the quantities previously allocated to 278 approved exporters have been revised downward by half. 

The revised allocations have taken immediate effect and will remain valid until December 31, 2026.

Under the revised arrangement, exporters, including large food-processing companies as well as medium and small businesses, will not be allowed to export more than their newly revised quantities of aromatic rice.

The government has also imposed 10 mandatory conditions to strengthen monitoring, accountability and repatriation of export proceeds.

The conditions require exporters to comply with the provisions of the Export Policy 2024-27, while the relevant approvals will remain valid until December 31, 2026.

Customs authorities will verify the quality and authenticity of the product before each shipment. Exporters must also submit relevant documents to the Export-2 branch of the Ministry of Commerce after shipment.

In case of future applications for fresh export approval, exporters will have to provide complete information and supporting documents on their actual exports against previously approved quotas.

No exporter will be allowed to export beyond the revised approved quantity.

The government has also fixed a minimum FOB export price of US$1.60 per kilogram to protect the value of the product in the international market.

The export approvals are completely non-transferable, and exporters will not be allowed to conduct exports through subcontracting or other companies.

The government may cancel an approval at any time in the public interest without assigning any reason.

Exporters will also be required to submit a Proceeds Realization Certificate (PRC) as proof of repatriation of export earnings.

Earlier, the Ministry of Commerce had allowed 278 companies to export a total of 45,270 metric tonnes of aromatic rice in two phases.

As of August 30, 2026, a total of 129 companies had exported 2,419 metric tonnes of aromatic rice against the approved allocations.

The government's policy position is that earning foreign exchange through exports is important, but in the case of essential food items, ensuring adequate domestic supply and price stability should receive priority.

Against this backdrop, the government has reduced the approved aromatic rice export quota by 50 percent and imposed stricter conditions concerning export prices, quantities, documentation and repatriation of export proceeds.

The new arrangement will require exporters to operate strictly within their approved limits and provide comprehensive records of their previous export activities when seeking future approvals.

The move is expected to enhance control over aromatic rice exports while improving transparency and accountability in export management.

The government said the initiative is not aimed at completely stopping aromatic rice exports, but at ensuring that exports are conducted in a controlled and sustainable manner while maintaining food security and stability in the domestic market.