Despite the public holiday on the occasion of Pahela Baishakh, a record volume of rice was imported from India through Dinajpur's Hili Land Port yesterday as importers rushed to bring in consignments ahead of the government's April 16 deadline for import.

Rice imports through the port began on November 11 last year.

According to the port authorities, 8,400 tonnes of rice arrived yesterday via 201 Indian trucks, one of the highest single-day imports in recent months.

Imports have surged in recent days as traders took advantage of the final days of the government's import permission period.

Sources at Hili Land Port said around 10,000 tonnes of rice were imported by 147 trucks on Saturday and 144 trucks on Sunday. Another 3,617 tonnes is scheduled to arrive today in 84 trucks.

Importers said the government's approval for duty-free rice imports, meant to stabilise the domestic market and curb price hikes, will expire tomorrow.

"After beginning to import rice through Hili from last year, the import permission, which was extended multiple times, ends tomorrow. That's why imports have peaked in recent days," said Mostafizur Rahman Mostak, a rice importer at Hili Land Port.

He added that hundreds of Indian trucks loaded with rice were still waiting to cross into Bangladesh.

To ensure clearance before the deadline, importers and C&F agents continued operations on Pahela Baishakh with the support of customs and plant quarantine officials.

"The government allowed duty-free rice imports to control rising prices. Since then, shipments have arrived steadily," said Yusuf Ali, assistant director of the Plant Quarantine Office at Hili.

But with new paddy now being harvested in local haor areas, including Sunamganj, the government has no plan to extend the import deadline beyond April 16, he added.

Customs data shows that since November 11, a total of 267,857 tonnes of rice have entered Bangladesh through 6,400 Indian trucks via Hili Land Port, located in Hakimpur upazila of Dinajpur.

Both Basmati and non-Basmati varieties, including Swarna, Shampa Katari, and Miniket, have been imported.

"The Ministry of Food has set April 15 as the cut-off date for rice import approvals. Importers are now expediting their shipments. Currently, 100 to 150 trucks of rice are entering the country daily," said Md Atikur Rahman, revenue officer at Hili Customs Station.

He also mentioned that customs is working to ensure the quick release of rice after inspection and valuation so it reaches the domestic market without delay.

Despite the increased supply, traders said wholesale prices have edged up slightly.

Swarna rice, previously sold at Tk 50 per kg, is now priced at Tk 52–53, while Shampa Katari has risen from Tk 64–65 to Tk 67–68 per kg.