Social Media Mocks Bangladesh After US Corn Import Triggers Pig Manure Debate

A social media controversy erupted after the US Embassy in Dhaka announced a shipment of American corn to Bangladesh, with online users drawing attention to the use of pig manure as fertiliser in US corn cultivation. The issue gained traction due to Bangladesh being a Muslim-majority country, where pork-related products are considered religiously impermissible.

The embassy’s post highlighted the nutritional value of US corn and its use in food products and animal feed. However, the announcement triggered widespread online commentary focusing on farming practices in the United States, where pig manure is commonly used to enrich cornfields and improve yields.

Several social media users responded with sarcasm and criticism, linking agricultural methods to religious sensitivities. Posts mocking the corn shipment circulated widely, while others questioned the cultural awareness behind the announcement. The US Embassy has not issued a response to the online backlash so far.

The controversy also revived memories of an earlier incident in Bangladesh, where authorities detected pork-derived material in imported meat and bone meal used for animal feed, leading to an import ban on the product.

The debate comes amid a global surplus of corn production in the United States, which has pushed American exporters to seek new markets. Reports indicate that excess supply has intensified efforts to expand corn exports to countries such as Bangladesh and India.

Bangladesh’s corn imports are also unfolding against the backdrop of trade tensions with Washington. The country runs a trade deficit of around $6 billion with the US, and its economy was recently impacted by higher tariffs on textile exports before rates were revised downward following trade assurances.

While the embassy’s announcement was aimed at highlighting bilateral trade, it instead exposed cultural sensitivities around food production practices, sparking a broader online debate.