Govt Approves 2.60 Lakh Tonnes Procurement Of Fertilizers

A recent Bangladesh Bank study reveals that farmers are the primary risk-takers in the agricultural value chain, especially for essential items like rice, potatoes, onions, eggs, and broiler chicken. Conducted across 14 districts, the study attributes price increases mainly to supply shortfalls caused by seasonal factors, reduced cultivation areas, floods, and pest attacks. Unlike intermediaries who secure fixed margins, farmers face fluctuating profits or losses depending on market conditions.

In FY2023–24, Bangladesh produced 68.84 lakh tonnes of maize from 6.42 lakh hectares, with FY2024–25 targets set at 71.60 lakh tonnes from 6.51 lakh hectares. Despite high yields of 35–45 maunds per bigha (1 maund ≈ 37 kg), farmers in districts like Lalmonirhat and Rangpur face falling prices—now Tk 28–29 per kg, down by Tk 2–3 from last year—while production costs rose to Tk 11–13 per kg or Tk 14,000–16,000 per bigha.

Bangladesh's tea exports jumped 57.55% in 2024, reaching 2.45 million kilograms and generating Tk45.96 crore in revenue. This marks a strong recovery from previous years when export volumes had dropped below 1 million kgs.

The government of Bangladesh has approved the purchase of two LNG cargoes from Singapore's Vitol Asia Ltd through the spot market, with a total expenditure of Tk 1,104.41 crore—one cargo costing Tk 549.09 crore and the other Tk 555.32 crore.

Qatar has agreed to renew a previously expired MoU with Bangladesh for liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply and advance discussions on a land-based LNG terminal in Cox’s Bazar. Under the existing SPA signed in 2017, Bangladesh imports 1.5–2.5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of LNG for 15 years, with a second SPA signed in June 2023 for an additional 1.5 MTPA starting in January 2026.

Between August 2024 and mid-April 2025, outstanding dues in Bangladesh’s gas sector dropped by 68%, from $750 million to $240 million, due to an aggressive repayment push by the interim government. Over $500 million was cleared in just six weeks, with $180 million disbursed between April 7–16 alone.