The pact signifies not just an influx of grain, but a strategic reinforcement in Bangladesh’s food security architecture – bridging immediate needs and long-term resilience.

Bangladesh and the United States have formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at securing Bangladesh’s food future by facilitating the annual import of 700,000 metric tonnes of high-quality US wheat over the next five years.

The MoU, inked by Bangladesh’s DG Food Md Abul Hasanat Humayun Kabir and Joseph K. Sowers from US Wheat Associates, underscores a deepening partnership in food and trade. Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumder highlighted that this agreement would “foster deeper trust and expand trade cooperation between the two countries, ultimately benefiting both countries”. The signing ceremony took place at the Ministry of Food in Dhaka, with dignitaries from both nations, including US Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson, looking on.

Agreement timely – and necessary

Despite strong cereal harvests in 2023–2024, roughly 23.6 million Bangladeshis – nearly 16 per cent of the population – endured high levels of acute food insecurity between October and December 2024. Recent Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analyses show that between April and December 2025, some 15.5 million people faced severe acute food gaps.

Bangladesh’s agricultural sector is routinely battered by floods, cyclones, and erratic monsoon rains. Cyclone Remal’s heavy floods in mid-2024 alone affected 19 million people, damaging crops, livestock, and infrastructure. In addition, domestic rice prices in Dhaka were 8 per cent higher in April 2025 than the previous year, fuelled by inflation and rising production costs.

According to FAO data, the 2024 harvest produced an above‑average 66.5 million tonnes of cereals: 60.2 Mt of rice, 5.2 Mt of maize, and 1.2 Mt of wheat. Production of Boro paddy and maize is promising for 2025. However, Bangladesh still requires around 9 Mt of cereal imports annually – mainly wheat (~6.7 Mt), plus rice and maize.

Supporting Resilience

This five-year US – Bangladesh wheat import agreement arrives at a critical juncture. Amid persistent acute and chronic food insecurity, market volatility, and environmental unpredictability, the pact ensures critical backup supplies. But to truly secure food sovereignty, Bangladesh must continue diversifying production, strengthening climate-resilient systems, and enhancing income pathways for its most vulnerable.

The pact signifies not just an influx of grain, but a strategic reinforcement in Bangladesh’s food security architecture – bridging immediate needs and long-term resilience.

• Supply stability: The annual import of 700,000 tonnes of US wheat will help Bangladesh navigate periods when domestic output is threatened by climate-induced losses or global price swings.
• Affordable pricing: Arranged at competitive rates, the wheat imports will help moderate bread flour (atta) prices – already down 10 per cent year-on-year in April 2025 – while relieving pressure on rice prices.
• Long-term partnership: This deal reinforces trade ties and aligns with Bangladesh’s strategic national food plans, such as the Food Planning and Monitoring Unit’s IPC efforts backed by FAO since 2012.
• Chronic food insecurity: Around 36 per cent of Bangladeshis live with mild chronic food insecurity, with 43 per cent facing some level of chronic food stress.
• Rice-centric economy: Rice remains essential – accounting for 97 per cent of food grain production and providing ~60 per cent of dietary calories. Bangladesh ranks as the world’s third-largest rice producer but remains vulnerable to climate damage and periodic losses.
• Global cooperation: The MoU follows Bangladesh’s collaboration with FAO and other partners on agricultural projects – such as developing resilient crops and improving livestock and biosecurity measures.