Bangladesh is set to resume wheat imports from the U.S. after seven years, with a government-to-government deal for 220,000 tonnes. The move aims to diversify supply beyond Russia and Ukraine, while also helping rebalance trade and strengthen economic ties with Washington. It follows an earlier MoU with U.S. Wheat Associates to import up to 700,000 tonnes annually, valued at around $200 million. Officials say the initiative is part of a broader strategy to secure export privileges and favorable trade terms for Bangladeshi goods in the U.S. market.
Bangladesh Resumes Wheat Imports from US After Seven Years to Rebalance Trade
In a significant strategic shift, Bangladesh is poised to import 220,000 tonnes of wheat from the United States under a government-to-government (G2G) deal — marking its first wheat procurement from the U.S. in nearly seven years. The move, aimed at narrowing the longstanding trade imbalance between the two nations, is expected to be tabled at today’s meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase, according to a senior official from the food ministry.
Traditionally, Bangladesh has relied heavily on wheat imports from Russia and Ukraine to meet its domestic demand. However, with geopolitical instability and a broader effort to diversify sources, Dhaka is now turning to Washington to strengthen bilateral trade ties.
This import is part of a larger plan designed to retain and expand export privileges for Bangladeshi goods in the U.S. market, particularly under reduced tariff schemes. As part of this strategy, the government is actively exploring opportunities to import a variety of American goods, using reciprocal trade as leverage in negotiations.
Earlier, Bangladesh signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with U.S. Wheat Associates, agreeing to import up to 700,000 tonnes of American wheat annually — worth around $200 million. The deal was seen as a diplomatic move to secure preferential trade treatment under the Trump administration’s “America First” trade policy.
Officials in Dhaka believe that such initiatives will not only help secure a more favorable position for Bangladeshi exports but also play a crucial role in shaping future policy dialogues with Washington.
