Price of rice increases by 15-20 percent in last 45 days
Kozhikode: Rice prices have increased by 15-20 percent in the last 45 days. The rise in prices in the wholesale markets have led to an increase in price in the domestic markets as well. It should be noted that the export demand for rice is pretty high these days. And quite an amount of rice is being exported as well. The price of rice in the international market have also increased during recent times.
One quintal of ‘Jaya’ rice costs Rs 4,100 in the wholesale market. Its price in the retail shops is set at Rs 45-Rs 47 for every kilogram. However, there are not many takers for ‘Jaya’ rice in Kozhikode. The most preferred rice varieties in the district include ‘Kuruva’, ‘Vella Kuruva’, ‘Swarnam’, and ‘Surekha’. The prices for these varieties have also increased slightly over the last one month.
However, there is no shortage for rice in Kozhikode at the moment. But there will be a rise in demand during the Onam season. Due to better returns, rice mill owners are preferring to sell their produce to the exporters these days.
But the price for rice varieties have not increased in Consumerfed. The prices for pulses have also remained stable over the last one month in the Consumerfed outlets. In the Maveli stores, only prescribed quantities of subsidised items, rice are sold to the customers. The stores run out of stock quite often as well.
Normally, non priority, non subsidy white card holders in the state were given 7-10 kilograms of ration rice every month. However, this will be minimised to just two kilograms in the Onam season. This might also trigger a rise in the price of rice varieties.
Kerala retailers ration dealers association state president Johnny Nellore and general secretary AT Mohammedali have suggested distributing 10 kgs of special rice to white and blue card holders to curb shortage and spike in rice prices in public markets.
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