Announcing a huge achievement in food security, Bangladesh, with government warehouses now holding the highest volume of stocks of food grain in the country’s recent history, revealed that their total reserves have reached more than 2.02 million tonnes. Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumder revealed the numbers on January 4th, 2026, stating that the current reserves have surpassed the stock levels seen over the past five years, which provides a strong buffer against potential shortages in the months ahead. As Majumder spoke in a press meeting in Dhaka, he described the situation as “highly satisfactory”.
Of the total stock, approximately 1.696 million tonnes are rice, 233,224 tonnes are wheat, and around 97,409 tonnes are paddy (unprocessed rice).
This strong inventory represents a major increase compared with previous years’ figures. In 2022, the highest food stock was 1.881 million tonnes, followed by 1.802 million tonnes in 2023. By contrast, stocks in 2021 stood at just 726,000 tonnes, and totals in 2024 and 2025 were 1.552 million and 1.144 million tonnes, respectively. The 2026 figures show a meaningful elevation in the country’s food security posture.
Majumder credited the government’s effective procurement efforts, which exceeded Food Monitoring Committee goals, for the record inventory. A strategically planned drive targeted 500,000 tonnes of paddy, 600,000 tonnes of parboiled rice, and 57,000 tonnes of atap rice. By purchasing 131,000 tonnes of paddy, 732,000 tonnes of parboiled rice, and 57,596 tonnes of atap rice, the government surpassed these targets.
Officials also stressed that Bangladesh’s public food distribution system remains “fully active and dynamic,” with policies and programs implemented effectively to support supply stability and accessibility throughout the country.
Beyond procurement from local harvests, Bangladesh continues to import staple grains, particularly wheat, to connect gaps between domestic production and demand. The government can store up to 2.4 million tonnes in reserves, providing flexibility to respond to market fluctuations or production shortfalls.
Despite ample stocks and improved preparedness, rice prices rose slightly last year due to natural disasters and a government transition. Majumder said the increases were modest and expressed confidence that strong reserves will prevent major price hikes in the near term.
This cautious optimism is echoed by market analysts, who say that clear supply chains and efficient distribution can help high inventory levels stabilise prices. However, as the year progresses, we will need to closely monitor global commodity prices, domestic crop performance, and export or import dynamics.
Broader agricultural performance and trade linkages also impact Bangladesh’s ability to maintain a robust food grain buffer. Domestic production meets a significant portion of the country’s rice needs. When the yields are insufficient or in low count, imports are usually what come to aid. Regardless, when it comes to the production of wheat, it’s regularly necessary to import it, as the amount produced by domestic approaches is mostly insufficient compared to the amount needed.
In recent years, Bangladesh at certain times has seen rice imports rise due to the production shortfalls caused by natural disasters such as floods, which have affected most of the crop output in certain seasons. These events highlight the importance of a resilient stage in food security that balanced domestic production with strategic imports.
As the record acts as a strong buffer, officials say that no food shortages will be of immediate risk. Despite all the economic uncertainties, we hope to maintain stable food security through continued efforts to expand stock levels, monitor markets, and implement support programmes.
As rice remains both a dietary and cultural staple, these developments offer reassurance that Bangladesh is better positioned than in recent years to manage food security challenges.
