Rajshahi-based Nabil Group has become a major importer in the consumer goods market of Bangladesh. The group is the largest importer of several commodities including wheat, lentils, peas and soybean meal. In the first eight months of this year, 24.47 percent of the country’s total wheat import, 49.35 percent of lentils, and 56.83 percent of peas were through Nabil Group.

Apart from importing products, Nabil Group companies are also playing an important role in the market by producing some consumer goods. This group has become one of the top companies in the country especially in rice production. Nabil Group is currently the second largest rice producer. The daily rice production capacity of the group is 1 thousand 364 tons. On the other hand, City Group is at the top with a production capacity of 1 thousand 728 tons. Nabeel Group is reportedly setting up new units to increase production capacity.

In the last financial year (2023-24), the total value of Nabil Group’s imported goods was $121 million. The group is now one of the members of the billion dollar or hundred million dollar club.

This information is known from various sources including the National Board of Revenue (NBR).

According to sources, the three Nabil Group companies imported goods worth around Tk 13,315 crore ($121 crore) in local currency in the last financial year. Out of this, Nabil Auto Flower Mill has imported products worth Tk 7,134 crore. Nabil Naba Foods Limited has imported products worth Tk 3 thousand 829 crores. The import value of Nabil Feed Mills Limited was Tk 2 thousand 351 crores.

A review of the commodity-wise import statistics showed that 8 million tonnes of wheat were imported in the eight months from January to August 2024. Nabil Group is at the top by importing 24.47 percent of the total wheat. Citigroup, in second place, imported 14.62 percent of wheat. The Meghna Group, ranked third, accounted for 12.99 percent of its imports. At this time, 7.50 percent of products were imported through Akiz Group and 6.40 percent through Abul Khair Group. 34.02 percent of wheat was imported through other importers including the government.

Nabil Group imported about 50 percent of lentils in the country during the period under discussion. At this time, 6 lakh 57 thousand tons of lentils were imported. Nabil Group imported 49.35 percent of it. The second highest dal amadin 17.44 percent Citigroup. Chittagong’s BSM Group imported 8.90 percent pulses. The remaining 24.31 percent pulses were imported through other government and private institutions.

More than half of the imports of peas are through the Nabil Group. In the first eight months of the year, a total of 5 lakh 39 thousand tons of peas were imported into the country. Nabil Group imported 56.83 percent of total peas. Akiz Group imported 13.67 percent of peas. The remaining 29.50 percent of peas were imported by other public and private institutions.

A total of 14 lakh 55 thousand tons of soybean meals have been imported in the country from January to September this year. Meghna Group was the largest importer of soybean meals. 23.43 percent of the soybean meal was imported through this group. City Group’s share was 20.41 percent. The position of Nabil Group is third in the import of soybean meals. The company imported 15.84 percent.

In this regard, the managing director of Nabil Group. Aminul Islam told a media outlet that they are trying to keep the supply chain smooth by importing enough consumer goods as well as business. Besides, they are trying to play a role in the country’s food security through the production of poultry products including eggs, rice and daily necessities locally.