RAJSHAHI, Apr 16: A sudden fall in paddy and rice prices in northern districts has left farmers and traders in financial distress, with growers struggling to recover production costs while millers and wholesalers face shrinking margins.
According to market sources, paddy prices have dropped by Tk 200 to Tk 400 per maund in the past month, while rice prices have declined by Tk 2 to Tk 6 per kg at the retail and wholesale levels.
A visit to Gangupara and Damnasha paddy markets under Baghmara Upazila in Rajshahi showed that BRRI-28 paddy is now selling at Tk 1,350 to Tk 1,400 per maund, down from around Tk 1,600 a month earlier. Jirashail has fallen from Tk 1,900 to Tk 1,600, BRRI-75 from Tk 1,350 to Tk 1,150, and Swarna-5 from Tk 1,200 to Tk 1,000 per maund.
Aratdar Shahidul Islam of Damnasha market said, transport costs have increased, discouraging traders from outside districts. He added that expectations of new harvest arrivals have also increased supply, putting additional pressure on prices.
Farmer Wahidul Islam said, he had stored his paddy expecting prices to rise after Eid, but the market moved in the opposite direction. "It costs around Tk 1,500 to produce one maund of paddy, but I am forced to sell it at Tk 1,200, suffering heavy losses," he said.
Aratdar Emran Ali of Keshorhat market in Mohonpur Upazila said, international developments have contributed to fuel-related disruptions, affecting transport and reducing the number of buyers from other districts, leading to weaker demand in local markets.
Rice millers are also facing similar pressure as falling rice prices limit their ability to purchase paddy at higher rates. Mill owners said increased imports have reduced demand for locally produced rice.
Saiful Islam, a rice mill owner in Nohata area of Paba Upazila, said a 50-kg sack of BRRI-28 rice that sold for Tk 3,500 last year is now selling at around Tk 3,100. "It has become difficult to sustain the business," he said.
Another miller, Helal Ali, said lower rice prices have forced them to purchase paddy at reduced rates, resulting in losses in every batch of trade.
A visit to wholesale rice markets in Saheb Bazar, BSCIC area, Baneswar in Puthia and Charghat showed that prices of different rice varieties have declined significantly over the past month.
Currently, Swarna-5 rice is selling at Tk 42-43 per kg, Jirashail at Tk 67-68, Kataribhog at Tk 74-76, and BRRI-28 at Tk 58-60 per kg, whereas prices were notably higher a month ago.
Traders said increased import supply compared to demand is a key reason behind the market downturn.
Rafiqul Islam, President of the Rajshahi District Rice Mill Owners' Association, said the government should introduce price regulation to stabilize the market. "Ensuring a minimum profit margin is essential to protect both farmers and traders. Farmers are currently the worst affected," he said.
