The prices of different varieties of rice remained stable in the city's kitchen markets on Friday.
The government has taken various steps including import of rice, crackdown on illegal hoarding and cut in import duty on rice aiming to keep rice prices stable in the local markets.
But there is no significant fall in prices of rice in the markets, according to market insiders.
On the other hand, most of early winter green vegetables were selling at high prices despite sufficient supply in the kitchen markets.
"We purchased rice at higher prices from the wholesale market. So, we have no alternative but to sell the staple (rice) at high prices with nominal profits," said Md Alam, a rice trader at Segunbagicha Multipurpose Complex in the capital.
During visit to the wholesale rice market at Badamtali in the city, the FE correspondent found that every shop has a sufficient stock of rice. But the prices were high.
"As the price is high, so we have no alternative but to sell at a little bit high prices," Jamil, a trader at Badamtali, told the FE.
He, however, expressed optimism that the prices of rice will come down to a tolerable level within next few months.
Customers, especially limited income group of people expressed frustration over high prices of rice.
They urged the government and traders to take necessary steps for cooling down the rice market.
"We expected that rice prices would come down to a tolerable level following import duty cuts and rice import through private and government channels. But we are yet to see any positive impacts (fall in rice prices)," Tajmina Rahman, a housewife, told the FE at Shantinagar Kitchen market on Friday.
Najirshail was sold between Tk 70 and Tk 75 per kg while Miniket between Tk 55 and Tk 57, BR- 29 between Tk 56 and Tk 60, BR-28 at Tk 55 and coarse rice at Tk 48 on the day.
Tomato was sold between Tk 80 and Tk 100 per kg while potato between Tk 25 and Tk 30, papaya between Tk 15 and Tk 20, brinjal between Tk 55 and Tk 60.
Beef was sold at Tk 500 per kg while mutton between Tk 750 and Tk 800.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com