DINAJPUR, June 6: With arrival of new rice of Boro in markets, the rice price has started to fall in the district.
Already prices of all varieties of rice have decreased by Tk 400-500 per bag. General consumers have started to get relief.
A visit on Saturday (May 25) found this rice price picture at Bahadur Bazar, the biggest rice market in the district town.
Wholesalers Ershad Ali and Ashraf Ali Jontu said, 10/15 days back per 50 kilogram bag of Jherashail (Minicat) was selling at Tk 3,500-3,550 against the current price of Tk 3,050, BR-28 rice was selling at Tk 3,200-3,250 against the current price of Tk 2,750-2,800, and Sompa rice was selling at Tk 3,300 against the current price of Tk 2,900.
"Relief has returned to consumers; we are also feeling relief for the price fall," they added.
They further said, "Rice millers can purchase rice at cheaper prices as the yielding has been good; they are giving us rice at cheaper prices. And we can also sell rice to customers at the cheaper price."
Another trader Bishwanath Kundu said, old rice is not available in mills and shops in the market; prices of all types of rice have decreased; day-earning people have got relief.
A customer, Idris Ali, who came from Ramnagar, said, he has to purchase rice on monthly basis to feed his six-member family; in the last month, he purchased one 50kg rice bag of BR-28 at Tk 3,250; and on Saturday, he purchased that rice bag at Tk 2,800.
"I have got a relief; yet if the rice bag is at Tk 2,400, it will be good," he added.
Another customer who is a former manager of Sonali Bank Sultan Alam said, "I have purchased one bag minicat at a less price of Tk 450; I have got a bit relief by purchasing new rice."
A retail fish seller Md Khalil said, he purchases rice daily; he has been purchasing BR-28 rice at a less price of Tk 4 per kg; he can save Tk 20 per day.
"Now I can save Tk 600 per month. If the rice market decreases a further, it will be good for us," he added.
