The Government increased the import duty on rice to 55 percent from the previous 28 percent, which was set in June last year (FPMA Food Policies). The recent measure, which became effective on 22 May, aims to curb imports and support farmers amidst the low domestic prices of rice. Prices of rice in April were well below their levels of the corresponding month in 2018 and 2017 (FPMA Tool), mainly on account of ample domestic supplies from last year’s record production. The bumper output from the 2019 main “Boro” harvest, which accounts for 55 percent of the total aggregate output, also provided further downward pressure.