Prices of different varieties of rice have rose by Tk2 to Tk 6 per kilogram in the capitals kitchen markets over the last one week.
Retail and wholesale traders blamed mill owners for the sudden rise in the price of rice.
The mill owners said that due to illegal storage of paddy, rice prices are increasing. At the end of the amon season, as the price rose, the farmers did not get the benefit, but the consumers have to buy rice at a higher price. Low income people are the most affected.
On Friday, during visits to different kitchen market in the capital, including Karwan Bazar, New Market and Turag areas of the capital, it was found that coarse rice price has been increased by Tk 2 to Tk 3 per kg, being sold at Tk 52 to Tk 54, medium quality pajam-lata increased by by Tk 3 to Tk 4, being sold at Tk 58 to Tk 60 per kg. And mazirshail-miniket increased by Tk 5 to Tk 6, being sold at Tk 66 to Tk 78 per kg.
The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) admitted that prices increased in its market price report on Friday.
A wholesale rice trader at Karwan Bazar said that the price of all varieties of rice has increased at Mokam after the election. Besides, the supply of rice in the market is also low, leaving an impact on the price.
Source said that the price of rice is higher in the capital as well as in other parts of the country. In the space of a few days, the price of rice per bag of 50 kg in Dinajpur, one of the biggest source of rice in the country, has increased from Tk 200 to Tk 250.
Salil Basak, a buyer at Gopalganj paddy market in Dinajpur Sadar upazila, said that 10 days ago, BR 28 rice was sold for Tk 2,250 per sack of 50 kg in the market. And on Friday it is being sold for Tk 2,450.
Similarly, BR-11 variety of paddy has increased from Tk 2,250 to Tk 2,450, BR-49 paddy has increased from Tk 2,150 to Tk 2,445, Guti Swarna has increased from Tk 2,200 to Tk 2,430.
In other words, the price of paddy has increased in last 10n days and sells for Tk 2500 per sack. The price of aromatic rice has increased from Tk 4,800 to Tk 5,300.
Salil Basak said that due to the increased demand of rice at rice mills, the price of rice has increased in the market.
Farmers are not getting the benefit of increased rice price.
Sadar upazila farmer Khorshed Ali, said that he had to sell the paddy only after cutting and threshing to pay the price of fertiliser and laborers wages. Now, farmers have no paddy.
Paddy is with the hoarders. Therefore, if the price of rice increases now, not the farmers, but the hoarders will benefit.
Regarding the increase in the price of rice, Sahidur Rahman Patwari, Vice President of Bangladesh Auto Major and Husking Mill Owners Association told the Daily Observer that many traders are hoarding various consumer goods without following the rules.
Mill owners are buying paddy at higher prices. This is the main reason for the high price in the market of rice.
Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder said that the price of rice is increasing in the market as millers compete to buy paddy. He said that action will be taken if someone hoards rice and paddy.
He said that there was enough stock of rice in the government warehouse.
State Minister for Commerce Ahsanul Islam Titu said at his Secretariat office that no syndicate can exist in the country.
He warned that action will be taken if anyone creates instability in the market by using manipulation. Hoarders will be dealt with a strong hand, he said.
Prices of vegetables and other commodities are higher than in recent previous years, said Harun-Ur Rashid, a retired employee of the government.
He said potato, tomato, and carrot prices usually remain between Tk20 to 40 per kg during this time of season. But these items are selling between Tk60 to 70 per kg depending on quality.
High prices have become a burden on retired people and fixed-income groups, he said.
Almost all winter vegetables were selling for between Tk40 to Tk 70 per kg at Karwan Bazar on Friday.
Potato was selling at Tk60 to Tk 70 per kg, onion at Tk70 to per kg, depending on quality, garlic at Tk220 per kg, and ginger at Tk200 to Tk 240 per kg in different kitchen markets of the capital.
Prices of fish and meat remains a source of discomfort. Broiler chicken was selling at Tk200 to Tk 220 per kg, and Sonaly chicken at Tk320 to Tk 340 per kg. Beef, which was sold at Tk 650 at many places a couple of weeks ago, is now sold at Tk 700 per kg everywhere.
Vegetable prices have been increased in the capitals kitchen markets blaming short supply after the recent rains
Per dozen brown eggs cost Tk135 to Tk140, Tk 5 to Tk 10 less that white eggs. Duck eggs cost Tk 180 to Tk 190 per dozen while eggs of indigenous chicken cost Tk 210 per dozen.
The prices of fish are higher now compared to a few months ago. However, tilapia, pangas, and carp cost between Tk220 to Tk 260 per kg.
Te price of medium sized farming rohu, katla and mrigel weighing 1.5 kg to 2 kg costs Tk 300 to Tk 400 per kg. And, pabda, tengra, koi, boal, chital, and hilsa costs above Tk 600 per kg.
Big coral, boal, and river pangas costs between Tk700 to 1100 per kg at Karwan Bazar.
Asked about the price hike, Director General of the Directorate of National Consumers Rights Protection AHM Shafiquzzama said that his office will launch a drive against the unusual price hike of essentials.
He also said that a few months ago he asked different ministries and directorates to take steps to increase the supply of essentials including onion and potato to control prices.
Shafiquzzama said during a visit to different cold storage in different districts he found enough stock of potato.
