Across Rajshahi’s Barind region, farmers are busy harvesting Boro paddy under intense heat, with cutting and threshing now in full swing. The Department of Agricultural Extension reports that 68,300 hectares have been cultivated this season, targeting 327,544 tons of rice. Early data show an average yield of 4.70 tons per hectare, and about 10 percent of the crop has been harvested so far.

Despite favorable weather and good yields, farmers are struggling with low market prices and rising labor costs. Fine-grain paddy, once a Rajshahi specialty, is selling for Tk 1,100–1,150 per maund, which barely covers wages. Farmers allege that millers and wholesalers are manipulating prices by stockpiling paddy during the peak season. Labor shortages and higher input costs have worsened the situation, leaving many unable to recover their investments.

Officials say the harvest will continue through May and could strengthen local food security if completed successfully. However, farmers urge direct government procurement from local markets to reduce losses and prevent middlemen from exploiting them.

Authorities in Cumilla have intensified border surveillance to prevent the entry of Indian cattle, bringing relief to local farmers ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. According to the district livestock office, around 260,000 animals have been prepared across 17 upazilas, exceeding local demand of about 247,000. Farmers expect fair prices if the strict monitoring continues through the festival period.

Local farmers and farm owners are busy preparing cattle, goats, sheep, and buffaloes using natural fattening methods. Many have started selling animals online, planning to supply surplus livestock to other districts. However, they expressed concern over rising feed costs not matched by meat prices, warning that prolonged imbalance could drive some out of business.

District officials confirmed coordination among the Border Guard Bangladesh, police, and administration to block illegal cattle entry. Over 300 temporary markets will be set up, with enhanced patrols and two daily task forces monitoring markets. Authorities expect that strong vigilance will ensure stable prices and a secure Eid market environment.

A recent intelligence report sent to Bangladesh’s Home, Labour, and Commerce ministries warns that political groups may attempt to exploit growing worker unrest caused by rising production costs and energy shortages. The report states that fuel supply disruptions, worsened by the Iran–US conflict and the shutdown of Eastern Refinery Limited on April 13, have severely affected industrial operations. Production in the garment sector has dropped by about 30 percent, with many small and medium factories facing losses, layoffs, and delayed wage payments.

The report highlights that Bangladesh’s annual fuel demand stands at 8–8.5 million tons, with diesel making up nearly three-quarters of daily consumption. Disruptions in crude oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have intensified the crisis. Additionally, international price hikes for cotton and yarn have raised local production costs, further straining the textile industry.

To mitigate the crisis, the report recommends limited work-from-home policies, reduced energy use after 8 p.m., alternate-day school operations, vehicle rationing, and prioritizing fuel supply for essential industries and transport. It also suggests financial support for small and medium enterprises.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has been unable to expand its international destinations due to a shortage of aircraft and pilots. The state-owned carrier currently operates 19 aircraft across 20 international and seven domestic routes, despite having air service agreements with 70 countries. The airline’s regular operations have also been affected during Hajj seasons, forcing temporary route suspensions.

To address growing passenger demand, Biman signed a deal with Boeing on April 30 to purchase 14 new-generation aircraft worth about Tk 40,000 crore. The order includes eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, two 787-9 Dreamliners, and four 737-8 Max jets, aimed at expanding long-haul and high-demand routes. The government plans to make Bangladesh an aviation hub, with new routes to Sydney and New York under consideration.

Biman targets launching flights to Malé, Yangon, and New York by the 2026–27 fiscal year, followed by Kunming and Bahrain in 2028, and Sydney, Jakarta, and Seoul in 2029. Route selection is based on passenger demand, with specific focus on business, labor, and tourism markets.

Bangladesh’s only state-owned oil refinery, Eastern Refinery Limited, has resumed full-scale operations after a 24-day closure due to a shortage of crude oil. The main plant restarted production on Friday morning following the arrival of a crude oil shipment from Saudi Arabia. Initially, the refinery will process 4,000 tons of fuel oil daily, with plans to increase capacity to 4,500 tons by Saturday afternoon. The shutdown began on April 14 when crude supplies were disrupted by restrictions on ship movement through the Strait of Hormuz amid conflict in the Middle East.

During the closure, a small unit continued limited production using remaining stock, supplying 120 tons of diesel and 100 tons of petrol daily. The government arranged alternative shipping routes to import crude oil via Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port, leading to the arrival of the MT Ninemiya tanker carrying 100,000 tons of crude. Maintenance was performed on machinery during the downtime, allowing for a smoother restart.

Energy experts have urged the government to diversify crude sources and expand storage capacity from the current 600,000 tons to 1.6 million tons to strengthen energy security.

Global oil prices rose by up to 3 percent on Friday following renewed tensions between the United States and Iran in the Hormuz Strait. Brent crude futures increased by 3 percent during trading but settled 1.23 percent higher at $101.29 per barrel by the end of the day. Meanwhile, US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures rose by 0.64 percent to $95.42 per barrel.

Market analysts cited by Reuters said that despite ongoing uncertainty, there was strong belief in the possibility of an agreement between Washington and Tehran to prevent further conflict. John Kilduff, a partner at Again Capital, noted that the market was at a crossroads, either approaching a major diplomatic breakthrough or renewed confrontation.

According to the report, market sentiment suggests that a preliminary understanding could soon be reached, with a 30-day window expected for the two nations to finalize a comprehensive accord.

Global food prices have reached their highest level in three years, driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and rising crude oil prices, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The FAO reported that its food price index in April increased by 2 percent compared to the same month last year, marking the steepest rise since 2023.

The organization attributed the surge to higher crude oil prices, which have boosted demand for seed oils in the biofuel industry. At the same time, concerns over reduced seed oil production in Southeast Asia have further pushed prices upward. The FAO also noted that the cost of wheat rose by 0.8 percent due to increased fertilizer prices linked to the war.

The FAO warned that persistently high fertilizer costs could lead farmers to shift toward crops requiring less fertilizer, potentially reducing wheat supply and driving prices even higher in the future.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir stated that the recent increase in fuel prices in Bangladesh is very small compared to other countries. Speaking in Sylhet on Friday, he said the impact on commodity prices would be a one-time spike and would not lead to persistent inflation. He warned that if anyone raises prices unjustifiably, the government will take action.

The minister explained that inefficiency in port management has raised transportation costs and that a Danish official has been assigned to improve port capacity. He also commented on a trade agreement with the United States, noting that while some clauses favor one side, others benefit the other, creating a win-win situation. If any clause is found to be against national interests during implementation, there is scope for revision within the agreement.

Muktadir further said the government plans to hand over loss-making state-owned enterprises to private investors to reduce inefficiency and create employment. He also discussed plans to develop a natural park in Sylhet’s Baishthila area with facilities like a cable car and rope bridge to attract tourists.

Saudi Arabia recorded a budget deficit of 125.7 billion riyals (about 33.5 billion dollars) in the first quarter of 2026, marking its largest shortfall since 2018. The deficit nearly doubled compared with the same period last year, according to data from the Saudi Ministry of Finance cited by Bloomberg. The shortfall was attributed to the economic impact of the Hormuz Strait closure and accelerated government spending.

The ministry reported that to mitigate supply risks from the Hormuz disruption, the government advanced infrastructure and food import expenditures. It also invested heavily in expanding Red Sea coastal ports and increased spending on transport and logistics projects to strengthen alternative trade routes.

Analysts noted that amid regional tensions and uncertainty in energy transport, Saudi Arabia prioritized economic security through early preparedness, though this approach has immediately strained the national budget.

France’s Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot announced on Friday that despite concerns over a potential jet fuel shortage caused by the Iran war, there is no expectation of major flight cancellations during the upcoming summer season. He said airlines have little interest in canceling flights during this peak revenue period, though some carriers have slightly reduced their schedules. Transavia France confirmed that only 2 percent of its flights in May and June have been canceled.

In response to the possible fuel supply challenges, the French government is implementing special measures to support airlines. These include extending deadlines for social security contributions and tax payments, as well as allowing greater flexibility in fuel loading operations.

Industry observers have warned that Europe could face a jet fuel shortage in the coming weeks, as the region imports about 75 percent of its aviation fuel from the Middle East. European authorities are working urgently to find solutions to prevent major travel disruptions during the summer holiday period.

UAE-based offshore marine support company Gulf Marine Services (GMS) reported a 24 percent decline in profit for the first quarter of the year, following the withdrawal of four vessels from a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country. The company said the move was a precautionary measure amid the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. According to Reuters, GMS’s core profit for the three months ending March 31 fell to 19.5 million dollars, compared with 25.6 million dollars during the same period last year.

The company stated that operations in the unnamed GCC country were halted in March, resulting in no revenue from those vessels during that month. GMS did not disclose the country’s name for security reasons. The company added that crew members returned to all vessels in early April, about a month after the Strait of Hormuz was closed following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran in February. Customers resumed operations on two vessels shortly afterward.

Despite the temporary losses, GMS maintained its full-year profit target for 2026, signaling confidence in recovery as operations gradually resume.

Residents of Panchagarh’s border area Tetulia have revived their decades-old demand to reopen the Shalbahan oil field, which was abruptly shut down nearly 37 years ago. The field, discovered in 1987 and inaugurated in 1988 by then-President Hussain Muhammad Ershad, had shown promising signs of oil reserves. A French company was assigned to drill up to 8,000 feet, but operations ceased within eight months without explanation, leaving the site abandoned and the reasons undisclosed.

Local citizens and organizations are now urging the government to investigate the mystery and restart exploration, arguing that the field could significantly contribute to Bangladesh’s energy sector. The district administration has confirmed that a letter has been sent to the relevant ministry for evaluation. Activists and community leaders believe reopening the field could transform the region’s economy and reduce national fuel shortages.

The site, once bustling with foreign experts and heavy machinery, now hosts residential homes, though the cement-sealed wellhead remains as a relic. Visitors continue to arrive, drawn by curiosity about the long-silent oil field.

Ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, authorities have decided to set up a total of 28 cattle markets in Dhaka, including the permanent one at Gabtoli. Of these, 16 markets will be under the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and 12 under the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). Both city administrations have emphasized strict measures to ensure transparency in the leasing process and to keep it free from political influence.

DNCC Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan stated that the leasing process is conducted openly through tenders, allowing all interested parties to participate. He added that ten of the northern city’s markets have already been leased, while the remaining five are expected to be finalized by next Monday. DSCC Administrator Md. Abdus Salam said their 12 temporary markets were also leased through open tenders, asserting that no political pressure was involved.

The DSCC further instructed that no market may operate before the designated time and that boundaries have been clearly marked, warning that any violation will result in action.

Advance ticket sales for long-distance bus travel have begun across Bangladesh ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha festival. Following a pre-set decision by the Bangladesh Bus-Truck Owners Association, ticket sales started on Friday morning through both online platforms and physical counters. Tickets are being sold for journeys scheduled between May 21 and the days leading up to Eid.

According to Shyamoli NR Travels General Manager Jiban Chakraborty, all of their tickets went on sale Friday morning, with strong demand for trips on the nights of May 24, throughout May 25, and the morning of May 26. He noted that most tickets for these dates were sold out by 10 a.m., as the government holiday begins on May 25.

The Bangladesh Bus-Truck Owners Association stated that no operator is allowed to charge fares above the rates set by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA). The same fares will apply online, and every counter must display the BRTA-approved fare chart.

Farmers in Bangladesh’s haor region are struggling to preserve their Boro paddy harvest after sudden rainfall and water inflow from India left fields submerged. The harvested paddy remains too wet to store or sell, as continuous rain and lack of sunlight prevent drying. A shortage of drying machines has worsened the situation, leaving much of the crop unsellable. The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has deployed drying machines and labor support, but these measures remain insufficient.

The government has begun paddy procurement at Tk 1,440 per maund, but most farmers cannot meet the 14 percent moisture requirement, forcing them to sell at distress prices of Tk 400–600 per maund in open markets. Middlemen are reportedly exploiting the situation by buying cheaply and reselling at higher prices. Agricultural economist Dr. Jahangir Alam suggested that the government could buy wet paddy and dry it elsewhere to stabilize the market.

Preliminary assessments show extensive crop losses across Sunamganj, Kishoreganj, Netrokona, and Mymensingh, affecting tens of thousands of farmers. Officials say damage surveys and relief measures are underway, but uncertainty remains over how quickly affected farmers can recover.