Bangladesh: Rice gets costlier as diesel price pushes up transport costs
Rice prices in Dhaka rose over the past week as higher diesel and transport costs, rising paddy prices and seasonal factors pushed up rates. BRRI dhan-28 reached Tk 65–66 per kg, while Miniket rose to Tk 78–90. River fish prices also increased amid a fishing ban.
Prices of different varieties of rice increased in the city in the past week as increased diesel prices pushed up transport costs, while rising paddy prices and seasonal factors also contributed to the increase.
On the other hand, prices of tomatoes and green chillies also remained high, although some vegetables became cheaper.
Edible oil, sugar and eggs continued to sell at their previous high prices, according to market sources.
A visit to several kitchen markets in the city on Friday found that medium BRRI dhan-28 varieties of rice were selling at Tk 65-66 a kg, from Tk 63-64 a week earlier, while Paijam rice rose from Tk 60 to Tk 62-64 a kg.
Prices of Miniket variety of rice also increased by Tk 2.0-3.0 to Tk 78-90 a kg, depending on their quality while that of coarse rice like guti Swarna remained unchanged at Tk 55-56 a kg.
Rice traders said higher transport costs following the diesel price hike had pushed up rice prices. The rising cost of paddy and seasonal influences were also responsible for the situation, according to them. Abidur Rahman, a rice trader at Mohammadpur Town Hall market, said higher fuel prices had raised transport fares, thus creating volatility in the rice market.
“The prices of some rice varieties have increased by Tk 70-100 per sack in the past week due to higher transportation costs,” he said.
Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) Secretary Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan said the recent diesel price adjustment could increase the transportation cost of rice from Rangpur to Dhaka by up to Tk 0.40 a kg.
He called on the authorities concerned to monitor the market to prevent unjustified price increases.
He also urged the government to strengthen oversight of rice milling hubs and wholesale markets in cities to ensure that higher transport costs could not be used as an excuse for excessive price hikes.
In the city vegetable markets, Brinjals were selling at Tk 80-120 a kg, country beans at Tk 140-160, tomatoes at Tk 180-200, and pointed gourds and okra at Tk 60-70 a kg.
Vegetable trader Rabiul Malek at Adabor Bazar, said prices of most of the vegetables remained more or less unchanged, except for tomatoes. “Although new winter vegetables have started arriving in the market, prices are still high,” he said.
He said small cauliflowers and cabbages were selling at Tk 50-55 a piece at Karwan Bazar wholesale market.
Prices of poultry and beef remained largely unchanged. Sonali chicken was selling at Tk 330-350 a kg, while broiler chicken cost Tk 180-200 a kg. Beef was priced at Tk 800-850 a kg. Meanwhile, river fish prices increased further amid the ongoing fishing ban in major sanctuaries.
Indigenous rui and katla were selling at Tk 950-1,250 a kg, while shrimp and prawn prices ranged from Tk 900 to Tk 1,650, depending on quality. Boal was priced at Tk 900-1,450 a kg. Visits to Karwan Bazar, Gulshan DCC Market, Banalata Kitchen in New Market and Shantinagar Bazar revealed that prices of river fish had risen by Tk 100-150 a kg.
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Source : Financial Express
