In a move that could open a lucrative new export corridor for Bangladesh’s agro-processing sector, Sanwa Yushi Company Limited—one of Japan’s leading rice bran oil producers—has expressed strong interest in importing crude rice bran oil from Bangladesh.
The announcement came during a high-level industry dialogue titled “Market Demand and Future Prospects of Rice Bran Oil in Bangladesh”, held at the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) headquarters on Monday.
Yozaemon Yamaguchi, Managing Director of Sanwa Yushi, revealed that while rice bran oil accounts for 30–40% of Japan’s total edible oil consumption, domestic production cannot keep pace with demand. “Given this gap, we are keen to source crude rice bran oil from Bangladesh,” he said, highlighting the country’s potential as a reliable supplier.
The session, presided over by FBCCI Secretary General Md Alamgir, featured a comprehensive presentation on Bangladesh’s edible oil landscape—including supply chains, consumption patterns, and untapped investment opportunities. Local rice bran oil producers, industry experts, and policymakers also participated.
A strategic opportunity amid import dependency
Bangladesh imports over 80% of its edible oil, spending billions annually on palm, soybean, and sunflower oils. Yet, as Gazi Mahmud Kamal, Business Associate of Bangladesh Sudan Jining Cotton Company Limited, pointed out, the country produces over 38 million tonnes of rice annually—generating abundant rice bran as a by-product.
“With rice as our staple crop, we have a ready and sustainable raw material base,” Kamal said. “Expanding rice bran oil production could significantly reduce our import bill.”
However, former Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture (PRL) Md Zakir Hossain noted a key domestic challenge: low consumer awareness and limited market penetration of rice bran oil within Bangladesh. “If local demand remains subdued, export markets like Japan offer a viable alternative,” he suggested.
Calls for investment and caution
FBCCI’s Alamgir welcomed Sanwa Yushi’s interest and urged the Japanese firm to consider joint ventures or local processing facilities in Bangladesh. “We stand ready to facilitate technical collaboration, regulatory support, and investment incentives,” he assured.
But the proposal sparked debate among local producers. Some warned that exporting crude oil could trigger domestic shortages of raw material for local refiners. Others countered that Bangladesh should aim higher—exporting both crude and refined rice bran oil to capture greater value.
“Why ship raw material when we can process and export finished products?” asked one industry representative, advocating for value-added exports.
The discussion also drew insights from Md. Abdul Haque, former FBCCI director, and Md Zakir Hossain Noyon, member of FBCCI’s General Council, who stressed the need for quality standardisation, branding, and policy support to position Bangladeshi rice bran oil competitively in global markets.
With Japan’s demand for healthy, plant-based oils rising—and Bangladesh sitting on a vast, underutilised agro-resource—the rice bran oil sector could soon become a quiet engine of export diversification. All eyes are now on whether this dialogue will translate into concrete trade or investment deals in the months ahead.