Rice price rising despite having sufficient stocks
Friday, 14 March 2008
Our Correspondent
CHITTAGONG, March 13: Despite having no crisis in supply of rice in the markets, a section of traders are involved in raising the price of this staple food. Over 0.5 million tonnes of rice are reportedly lying in stock in different godawns of the city. But the price of the same has been increased in the wholesale and retail markets repeadly, sources said.
Moreover, importers, wholesalers and retail traders are involved in an unhealthy practice of price raising of essential items including rice. As such, frequent attempts of the government to keep the prices stable in the markets are being foiled time and again.
Within a gap of only four or five days price of Indian 'Sharna' rice increased to Taka 170-190. A sack containing 75 kg which was sold at Taka 2020 now rose to Taka 2200. Indian boiled Balam is now being sold at Taka 2200 while only a few days back it used to be sold at Taka 2030 per sack.
Demand for Atap rice remains at the top of all categories of rice in Chittagong and Sylhet and demand for boiled rice persists in other districts of the country. As such, for meeting the deficit of boiled rice, the country has to depend on importing of rice specially from India. But rice imported from India is now being sold at Taka 2140 for one sack of two quintals which was sold at Taka 2020-2040 a few days back. Price of Atop rice imported from Myanmar, which was Taka 1850-1860 earlier, has now increased to Taka 1930.
Concerned sources said, three more vessels loaded with rice are expected to arrive at Chittagong within a day or two next.
Therefore, such an upward trend in the price of the main food of the people is not at all justified, sources concerned said.
Besides rice, prices of edible oil, pulse and other essential items have also increased abnormally in the markets of the district including the port city.
CHITTAGONG, March 13: Despite having no crisis in supply of rice in the markets, a section of traders are involved in raising the price of this staple food. Over 0.5 million tonnes of rice are reportedly lying in stock in different godawns of the city. But the price of the same has been increased in the wholesale and retail markets repeadly, sources said.
Moreover, importers, wholesalers and retail traders are involved in an unhealthy practice of price raising of essential items including rice. As such, frequent attempts of the government to keep the prices stable in the markets are being foiled time and again.
Within a gap of only four or five days price of Indian 'Sharna' rice increased to Taka 170-190. A sack containing 75 kg which was sold at Taka 2020 now rose to Taka 2200. Indian boiled Balam is now being sold at Taka 2200 while only a few days back it used to be sold at Taka 2030 per sack.
Demand for Atap rice remains at the top of all categories of rice in Chittagong and Sylhet and demand for boiled rice persists in other districts of the country. As such, for meeting the deficit of boiled rice, the country has to depend on importing of rice specially from India. But rice imported from India is now being sold at Taka 2140 for one sack of two quintals which was sold at Taka 2020-2040 a few days back. Price of Atop rice imported from Myanmar, which was Taka 1850-1860 earlier, has now increased to Taka 1930.
Concerned sources said, three more vessels loaded with rice are expected to arrive at Chittagong within a day or two next.
Therefore, such an upward trend in the price of the main food of the people is not at all justified, sources concerned said.
Besides rice, prices of edible oil, pulse and other essential items have also increased abnormally in the markets of the district including the port city.