Bangladesh seed import dependence is emerging as a pressing threat to the country’s food security. When a nation that feeds over 170 million people relies heavily on seed shipments from abroad, vulnerabilities begin to compound. Early in 2025 experts reported that Bangladesh produces merely 7 percent of the seeds it uses domestically while importing the remaining 93 percent. (The Financial Express) This alarming figure should prompt urgent reflection because seeds are the foundation of agriculture, productivity and resilience. Many farmers in Bangladesh use imported hybrid seeds, often from India, Thailand or China. (Volza) As this trend deepens, Bangladesh’s ability to respond to climate shocks, trade disruptions or global supply-chain stress weakens. In this blog post I will examine why the Bangladesh seed import dependence matters, highlight the scale of the challenge using recent data, discuss the risks for food security, and propose strategic responses to build seed sovereignty and resilience.
The scale of Bangladesh seed import dependence
The first question is how large the dependence really is. As noted, production of seeds in Bangladesh covers only a small share of domestic needs. According to a trade body discussion, only about 7 percent of seed needs are produced locally, leaving 93 percent to imports. (The Financial Express) In addition, data from import tracking show that between June 2024 and May 2025, Bangladesh imported seeds from 28 countries. India alone accounted for roughly 87 percent of seed-shipments in that period. (Volza) For the specific category of vegetable seeds (HS code 12099160) Bangladesh imported around 81 shipments in the twelve-month span to August 2024 and this represented an 80 percent growth compared to the prior year. (Volza) More broadly, the value of the Bangladesh seed market reached about USD 312 million in 2025 and is projected to grow to USD 421 million by 2030, with a CAGR of about 6.2 percent. (Mordor Intelligence) All of these figures point to a market that is growing, but also one in which local capacity lags far behind demand. In effect Bangladesh is integrating into global seed supply chains as a major importer rather than building up domestic seed production and breeding capacity.
Why this dependence raises food security concerns
Seed sovereignty and strategic vulnerability
When a country depends on imported seeds, the control over what goes into the soil shifts away from local actors. Seeds are not just commodities, they embody crop genetics, adaptation traits, and long-term innovation potential. If foreign suppliers dominate, Bangladesh faces reduced flexibility to choose or adapt seed varieties aligned to local stress conditions (floods, salinity, drought). Should the global supply chain be disrupted. For example, by export bans, currency shortages, trade conflicts- Bangladesh’s farm sector becomes vulnerable. This undermines national food security.
Economic costs and foreign-exchange burden
Imports require foreign currency, which in Bangladesh’s context is a constraint. A pattern of heavy seed imports means recurring cost burdens in a country where agricultural productivity gains are needed to support a growing population. The high reliance on imported hybrid seeds also may lead farmers into dependency cycles: needing to purchase new seeds each season rather than re-using local saved seed. That can raise costs at the farm level, squeeze margins, and make agriculture less resilient.
Loss of local biodiversity and adaptation potential
Bangladesh historically had a rich tradition of local seed varieties — many resilient to specific stresses such as flooding, salinity or local pests. As imported hybrid seeds become more dominant, the genetic base of local crop varieties faces erosion. That diminishes the country’s ability to breed or save seeds tailored to its unique agroecological zones. Over time the portfolio of locally adapted varieties shrinks, making the agricultural system less robust to change or shocks.
Impact on production and resilience
If seed supply is disrupted or if imported seeds are less well adapted, crop failure risk rises. Bangladesh already faces natural disasters, erratic monsoons, and climate stresses. The country’s ability to rapidly plant, recover crops, and maintain yields is partially contingent on timely seed availability and suitability. Food security is about reliable production, accessible supplies, and stable markets. Heavy seed import dependence threatens all three.
Recent data highlights and trade implications
Here are a few key datapoints to underline the urgency:
- From October 2023 to September 2024 Bangladesh imported 5,691 seed-shipments from 402 local buyers and 459 foreign exporters—a 14 percent growth compared to the preceding twelve months. (Volza)
- For hybrid seeds specifically, from October 2023 to September 2024 Bangladesh imported 658 shipments from 111 exporters and 95 buyers, representing 35 percent growth year-on-year. (Volza)
- The domestic seed market size in Bangladesh reached USD 312 million in 2025 and non-transgenic hybrids held 42.5 percent of the market share in 2024. (Mordor Intelligence) These figures show that not only is import dependence high, but hybrid uptake is increasing rapidly, often from foreign seed companies.
- Trade data shows that in 2019 Bangladesh imported vegetable seed from India valued at USD 8.47 million (4.15 million kg). (World Integrated Trade Solution)
All these numbers reflect a pattern of growing integration into global seed markets rather than building self-sufficient seed systems.
What drives this trend in Bangladesh?
Several factors are behind this dependence:
- Demand for higher yielding varieties: Farmers seek seeds that deliver higher yields, better uniformity and faster turnaround. Hybrid seeds often promise these advantages, so adoption grows.
- Private‐sector seed imports: Local research and seed-multiplication capacity is limited, prompting private firms to import and distribute seeds rather than rely on domestically developed varieties.
- Policy and subsidy environment: Government support for mechanisation and crop intensification (for example in rice, maize, vegetables) elevates demand for certified seeds. According to the report, in FY2022-23 Bangladesh distributed about 51,300 farm machines and extended collateral-free loans of USD 186 million. (Mordor Intelligence)
- Globalised seed supply chains: With lower trade barriers and active seed exports from countries like India, Thailand and China, imported seeds are more available and affordable, which encourages their use.
- Limited local breeding infrastructure: Although institutions like Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) and Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) are active, the scale and investment in seed-multiplication, quality control and distribution cannot yet match demand.
These drivers are well-intentioned, aiming to boost productivity, but they leave Bangladesh exposed because they carve out a heavy reliance on external seed supply rather than building robust domestic capacity.
Risks to food security and national strategy
Food security depends on availability, accessibility and utilisation of food. The heavy dependence on imported seeds touches all three pillars.
- Availability: If seed supply lines are disrupted (by currency crisis, trade embargoes, export restrictions, logistics failures) planting seasons could be delayed or crop choices restricted.
- Accessibility: Costs may rise if imports become more expensive or subject to foreign‐exchange constraints. Small farmers may find seeds less affordable or accessible, which can reduce acreage or lead to sub-optimal planting.
- Utilisation: If imported seeds are not well adapted to local conditions (soil, climate, pests), yields may suffer and food quality may decline. This will affect nutrition and livelihoods.
Moreover, dependency erodes resilience. Bangladesh must deal with climate change, natural disasters, saltwater intrusion, and flood risks. The ability to quickly deploy locally adapted seed varieties is crucial. But if most seeds are imported and come in standardised forms, flexibility is reduced. In summary, the seed import dependence is not just an agricultural business issue, it is a strategic food security risk.
Strategic responses and solutions
To mitigate the risks of seed import dependence and boost food security, Bangladesh can adopt a multi-pronged strategy:
- Invest in local breeding and seed-multiplication programs
The country needs stronger public-sector and private-sector partnerships to develop locally adapted varieties (flood-tolerant rice, salt-tolerant vegetables, drought-resistant maize). Research institutions must receive sustained funding. Every seed-cycle saved domestically is one less vulnerability.
- Strengthen seed certification and quality control
Local seed production must meet high standards of purity, germination rates and adaptation. This will build farmer confidence in locally produced seeds, reducing the preference for imported options.
- Encourage community seed banks and farmer-seed networks
Grassroots seed-saving and community seed banks can preserve indigenous varieties and reduce reliance on commercial imports. These networks pay dividends especially when external supplies falter.
- Promote hybrid and open-pollinated variety (OPV) balance
While hybrids bring yield benefits, open-pollinated varieties allow farmers to save their own seeds. Bangladesh should maintain a mix, so farmers are not locked into buying new seeds every season.
- Leverage trade strategically while building resilience
It is unrealistic to phase out seed imports overnight. Bangladesh can still benefit from imported germplasm and technology. But trade must be complemented by domestic capacity building. Redundancies should be built into the supply chain (e.g., alternative suppliers, regional seed hubs).
- Align seed policy with climate-resilience goals
Bangladesh must identify priority traits (flood, salinity, heat) and allocate resources accordingly. Seed policy should be integrated with national climate adaptation, disaster-risk reduction and food-security strategies.
By implementing these responses, Bangladesh can reduce its vulnerability and position its agriculture system for greater sovereignty and resilience.
Bangladesh seed import dependence is a hidden but serious threat to the country’s food security. The data are clear: domestic production of seeds covers only a small fraction of national needs, imports are growing rapidly, and the value of the seed market is expanding. While imported seeds can help boost productivity, the near-complete reliance on external supply introduces strategic risks- especially for a country prone to climate shocks, floods, and currency pressures. To safeguard food security, Bangladesh must act now. That means investing in local seed systems, building capacity, preserving diversity and using imported seeds smartly as part of a broader resilient strategy. Without this, the soils of Bangladesh may continue to yield crops, but the foundations of food security will remain fragile. A power shift back into the hands of Bangladesh’s farmers is both wise and urgent.
