Mongla: Unloading of 60,875 metric tonnes of wheat, imported from the USA, began at Mongla Port today after completion of laboratory quality tests, officials said. The ship anchored at the Fairway Boya of Mongla Port Friday afternoon. Samples from the consignment were collected and sent for testing, and unloading was authorized after the results confirmed quality compliance, said Muhammad Abdus Sobhan Sardar, Assistant Food Controller, Mongla.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, out of the total imported wheat, 35,075 metric tonnes will be stored at Mongla food godown, while the rest will be transported to Khulna, Barishal, and Rajshahi. 'As the vessel is large in size and has a deeper draft, unloading is being carried out from the Fairway,' he added.
The official further informed that the shipment arrived under a cash purchase agreement based on a memorandum of understanding between the governments of Bangladesh and the USA. This is the first time such a large wheat consignment directly arrived at Mongla Port. Previous shipments came to Mongla via Chattogram Port, he said.
Under the Bangladesh-US government-to-government arrangement, Bangladesh will import 440,000 metric tonnes of wheat, out of which 178,636 metric tonnes have already reached Bangladesh in three consignments.