57,855 tonnes of US corn arrive in Bangladesh for the first time since 2018

Bangla Press Desk:   A shipment of 57,855 tonnes of corn from the United States arrived in Bangladesh after eight years, marking the first such import since 2018.

Three local feed millers—Nahar Agro Group, Paragon Group and Nourish Poultry and Hatchery Limited—imported the yellow corn harvested in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota during the 2025–26 crop year.

The mother vessel carrying the consignment from Vancouver, Washington, reached the outer anchorage of Chattogram Port on January 1 after a 46-day voyage.

Erin Covert, Agricultural Attaché of the US Embassy in Dhaka, visited the Confidence Cement Jetty in the city’s Majhirghat area on Wednesday to inspect offloading activities and greet the importers.

Addressing a brief ceremony at the venue, she thanked stakeholders for their partnership and described the occasion as historic.

Highlighting the importance of trade ties between the United States and Bangladesh, Covert said the US already supplies high-quality soybeans and other products that support Bangladesh’s livestock, aquaculture and poultry sectors.

“We thank you as valued customers of American agriculture. This day is very special to us as it marks the first shipment of US corn to Bangladesh in eight years,” she said.

“Bangladesh typically imports about two million tonnes of corn each year. We hope to establish and expand this relationship so that trade continues to grow,” she said.

She added that the US expects up to 110 million metric tonnes of corn to be available for export in the coming year, noting that prices remain competitive and partnerships remain important.

Nahar Agro Managing Director Rakibur Rahman Tutul said Bangladesh has imported corn from the United States for the first time to support animal nutrition.

“We plan to continue importing from the US to meet domestic demand. Bangladesh produces about 30 per cent of its total corn requirement and imports the remaining 70 per cent,” he said.

“It takes around 60 days for the shipment to reach Bangladesh from the US. The samples from this consignment are of high quality and are expected to support the expansion of the livestock industry,” Tutul said, adding that the trade would further strengthen business ties between the two countries.

He also noted that Bangladesh imports various products from the US alongside its exports, with corn now added to the list.

“The price of corn remains almost the same globally. The imported corn costs around $246 per tonne, including freight charges. Handling and other supply chain costs will be added later,” he said.

Paragon Group General Manager (Commercial) Gowtom Chandra Mozumder, Nourish Poultry and Hatchery Limited Head of Procurement MKU Akram Babu, and S&D SUCDEN General Manager Bruno Chabanon attended the event, among others.

United Grain Corporation (UGC), a major US grain exporter, supplied the corn shipment—the first export of US corn to Bangladesh in eight years.

Of the total volume, Nourish imported about 29,000 tonnes, Paragon 19,000 tonnes and Nahar Agro 10,000 tonnes.

BP/TD