Rice prices rise despite record stock, supply

Rice prices have risen across markets despite record domestic production, robust government procurement and continued imports, adding fresh strain to household budgets.

The increase comes at a time when Aman output has hit a historic high and public foodgrain stocks are at record levels, raising questions about market dynamics and price oversight.

Seasonal coarse rice Swarna was selling at Tk 58-60 per kg, while medium varieties such as BRRI dhan-28 and Paijam were priced at Tk 65-70 per kg.

Fine rice was retailing between Tk 75 and Tk 95 per kg, marking a Tk 3.0-4.0 per kg increase within a week.

Earlier this month, aromatic rice recorded a Tk 15-20-per-kg hike, according to market sources.

Hedayet Ali, a grocer on Sherebangla Road in Mohammadpur, said wholesale prices at Mohammadpur Krishi Market have risen by Tk 100-125 per 50-kg sack of Miniket and BRRI dhan-28.

He added that seasonal varieties such as Shampa Katari and Najirshail registered an increase of Tk 75-100 per sack over the past three to four days.

Md Sohel, a sales employee at Arafat Trader in Mohammadpur Krishi Market, said it is currently the off-season for Miniket and BRRI dhan-28, two of the most widely consumed rice varieties.

He said millers have raised prices of all types of rice by Tk 1.5-2.0 per kg. Seasonal Swarna is now selling at Tk 52-53 per kg at mill gates, he added.

Shamsul Hoque, a miller based in Nilphamari, said supply of Miniket and BRRI dhan-28 has tightened due to the off-season.

He noted that rice and paddy prices have remained high since the government began procuring rice at Tk 49 per kg and paddy at Tk 34 per kg from November.

Although prices have increased slightly, they remain lower than last year's levels, he added.

SM Nazer Hossain, vice-president of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), said prices are rising at a time when Aman production has posted record output, government stocks have reached unprecedented levels, and imports are continuing.

The Aman harvest ended in January, and the agriculture ministry expects a record 17.6 million tonnes of rice from the season.

He also noted that global rice prices have remained largely stable.

The government should strengthen market monitoring at milling hubs and urban wholesale markets to keep prices reasonable for millions of low-income consumers, he said.

According to the Directorate General of Food, the government procured 1.05 million tonnes of rice and paddy during the Aman season, while public foodgrain stocks have surpassed 2.1 million tonnes.

Food ministry data show that the country imported 0.85 million tonnes of rice during the July-February period of the current fiscal year.

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