Rice prices increase in dists

Traders say this is due to short supply in markets in view of frequent hartals and production shortfall in the last season.

Our Barisal Correspondent reports:

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Prices of rice have been increased by Tk 200 to Tk 400 per quintal in a week in Barisal.

Traders said this is due to short supply in the market. It would continue till April.

The lowest price in the retail market is Tk 18 per kg and the highest Tk 24.

In wholesale market, coarse Balam sells at Tk 1600 against Tk 1800 per quintal earlier, Minicate of Kushtia at Tk 2200 against Tk 2400, Kazla at Tk 1500 against Tk 1750, Balam-28 at Tk 1950 against Tk 2200, Swarna at Tk 1650 against Tk 1800 per quintal.

Siddique Hossain, a trader at Fariapatty rice market in the city, said, only 45 to 50 tonnes of rice are being supplied in the market daily against at least 100 tonnes earlier.

Rice is brought to the market Jhenidah, Kusthia, Patuakhali, Banaripara in Barisal district and some other places.

The supply is lesser due to frequent hartal, he said. Production shortfall due to the last flood is also another case, they said.

Truckers now demand more fare due to fuel price rise and risky road journey during hartal, they said.

A truck from Kushtia or jessore now demands Tk 8000 against at Tk 5000 earlier, they said.

Besides, imports from India are not arriving due to hartal.

The price spiral will continue till mid-April when harvest will begin. OMS (open market sale) of rice is yet to begin.

Our Gaibandha Correspondent reports:

Coarse rice is selling at Tk 18 per kg now in Gaibandha markets against Tk 14 last month. Price of fine rice has also increased to Tk 22 per kg.

Traders said the sudden rise has been caused by short supply due to hartal.

Taking the advantage, traders have also increased the price of flour, which now sells at Tk 18 per kg.

Poor people have been affected by the rise, they are often out of job due to hartal.

Traders said the prices will not come down unless OMS or harvest begins.