Rice price hike adds to plight of low earners

BAGERHAT, Aug 21 (UNB): The prices of all varieties of rice have gone up in the wholesale and retail markets of Bagerhat, creating a suffocating condition for the low-income group people who are already plagued by price hike of essentials.
Wholesale and retail rice markets in the district are witnessing an increase in rice prices by Tk 10 per kilogram and Tk 150 per 25kg sack.
Both the buyers and rice traders are finding it hard to procure rice as per their demands. Traders alleged that rice prices have soared due to syndication by rice mill owners.
While visiting Chaupatti and Nagerbazar wholesale rice markets, this correspondent found that both the buyers and sellers were engaging in altercations over rice price hike.
The rice traders were blaming rise in fuel prices for increase in rice prices. On the contrary, consumers were returning home with rice less than the amount bought by them previously.
In wholesale markets, the staple is being sold at rates between Tk 50 and Tk 85 per kg. Even price of coarse rice has also seen an increase by Tk 5 per kg. Rice traders are asking for prices according to their wish, while rice is being sold in village markets at higher prices.
Pradeep Kumar Saha, a wholesaler of the Nagerbazar area, said they are receiving less rice than they've ordered.
"If we order 100 sacks of rice, we only get 20 of them which is creating a crisis. So rice prices have gone up by Tk 6 to Tk 10 per kg. Fuel price hike and syndication by the rice millers are behind this situation," Pradeep said.
Prabir Saha, a retailer from the Falpatti area, also blamed syndication by the rice millers behind rice price hike.
"Prices of rice have increased by Tk 150 to Tk 200 per sack (25 kg) within a week. We're regularly facing customers' wrath for selling rice at a high price. The situation is such that we may have to stop doing business altogether," Prabir said.
Gopal Saha, a wholesaler of Nagerbazar, said low earners are suffering a lot as the rice variant that they buy remains out of stock most of the time.