The state-run Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) plans to sell essential commodities through 520 trucks daily across the country during the upcoming Ramadan, up from 450 trucks last year, expanding its coverage to an additional 600,000 people.
The initiative will increase the number of beneficiaries from 3.4 million to 4 million, giving more people access to essential commodities at subsidised prices.
TCB is also preparing to import additional quantities of edible oil, lentils and sugar to ensure adequate supplies during Ramadan.
The agency is considering open market sales (OMS) to extend subsidised sales to ordinary consumers without smart cards, alongside existing cardholders.
TCB Chairman Brigadier General Mohammad Faisal Azad told the media that the corporation had drawn up its own procurement plan to ensure adequate supplies during Ramadan and preparations were progressing accordingly.
He said he did not anticipate any disruption to regular supplies.
The government is also considering additional sales beyond the regular smart card programme to reach more consumers, he added. TCB has contacted foreign suppliers to procure additional edible oil, lentils and sugar, while tenders have also been invited for some commodities.
The chairman said the volume of additional imports had not yet been finalised, but preparations were underway. The corporation also plans to increase the volume of commodities sold through trucks.
Major procurement plans for Ramadan
According to the Commerce Ministry, TCB has prepared a procurement plan for the 2026-27 fiscal year to ensure adequate supplies of essential commodities.
Under the plan, the corporation aims to procure 220 million litres of edible oil, 220,000 tons of lentils, 110,000 tons of sugar, 14,000 tons of chickpeas and 4,400 tons of dates from domestic and international sources.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission (BTTC) data show that imports of edible oil, sugar, chickpeas, lentils and dates increased between July 1 and October 25 compared with the same period last year.
During this period, edible oil imports reached 823,000 tons, up from 705,000 tons a year earlier. Letters of credit (LCs) were opened for 805,000 tons, an increase of 131,000 tons year-on-year.
Soybean imports also rose to 501,000 tons, up 113,000 tons from the corresponding period last year.
Sugar imports reached 687,000 tons, an increase of 153,000 tons year-on-year. LCs were opened for 810,000 tons of sugar during the period.
Chickpea imports, particularly important for Ramadan iftar, rose significantly to 82,000 tons from just 12,000 tons in the same period last year. LCs were opened for 138,000 tons.
Lentil imports stood at 122,000 tons, up 64,000 tons from a year earlier, while LCs were opened for 114,000 tons.
Date imports also increased to 11,000 tons, compared with 4,000 tons during the corresponding period last year.
The increase in TCB's sales trucks, preparations for additional imports and higher overall import volumes indicate efforts to ensure adequate supplies of essential commodities ahead of Ramadan.