Soaring rice prices come as fresh blow to low-income people
Staff Reporter :
The prices of rice have been showing an upward trend on both retail and wholesale markets in the capital during the last couple of days, hitting the low-income people most.
The retail price of coarse rice varieties (Swarna and IRRI) and medium quality (BR28) of rice increased by Tk 3-4 a kg over the past month while price of fine rice (Miniket and Nazirshial) rose by Tk 2-6 a kg.
Currently, coarse varieties of rice is being sold at Tk 52-54 a kg while medium quality of rice at Tk 59-60 a kg, miniket rice at Tk 65-72 a kg while price of nazirshail rice varies from Tk 75 to Tk 95 a kg.
Regarding the increasing price of rice in recent times, Bangladesh Auto Major Husking Mills Association General Secretary HR Khan Pathan said, “though mill owners did not increase the rice price, retail price saw a rise, which is why it is necessary to monitor the rice market.”
However, rice production is good this year, and new rice would arrive in market soon. So, rice price is unlikely to see a further hike, he added.
Meanwhile, retail price of loose and packet sugar increased to Tk 140-145 a kg from Tk 135-140 a kg a week ago, which is higher than the price set by the government.
The government has set prices of loose and packet sugar at Tk 130 and 140 a kg respectively.
Wholesale price of sugar also saw a rise as traders alleged there was low supply of sugar from sugar mills. Retail traders said sugar crisis caused a rise in price.
According to retail traders, wholesale price of loose sugar was Tk 137 or higher per kg on Thursday while price of packet sugar was Tk 135-138 a kg, which is higher than the price mentioned on the packet, Tk 135 a kg.
“Prices spiked at wholesale market due to low supply, but there is no fear of any bigger crisis.”, Mohammad Ali Bhutto the Vice president of Bangladesh Sugar Merchants Association expressed.
However, the price of eggs is finally being sold at a price lower than the government fixed rate of Tk12 apiece on Friday.
The price of eggs increased drastically at the beginning of August with each egg being sold at Tk15, prompting the government to fix it at Tk12 a piece on 14 September.
After much delay egg price has declined to a price lower than Tk11 apiece in the kitchen markets.
A dozen farm eggs are being sold at Tk130 in Karwan Bazaar (Tk10.83 apiece), compared to Tk140 last week. However, local shops are selling a dozen eggs at Tk135 to Tk145.
Likewise, Price of vegetables also dropped over the last week. The price of brown chicken eggs was Tk 135-140 a dozen. The price of Sonali and broiler chickens fell by Tk 10 a kg.
Besides, the price of local varieties of onions was at Tk 130-140 a kg and imported onion at Tk 100-110. The price of potatoes dropped slightly to Tk 50-60 a kg.
Additionally, fish and meat prices have remained unchanged compared to last week.
At fish markets, roe and catla were being sold at the rate of Tk400-600 per kg depending on the size. Cultivated koi was at Tk300 per kg, but the local variety at Tk600-800. Besides, pabda was Tk400, tilapia Tk250 and pangas Tk200 per kg.
However, like other days, the prices of river fish were comparatively higher than that of farmed ones.
