Rice is being sold at a high rate at all mill gates and wholesale markets across the country on Wednesday though the government on Tuesday fixed the prices of the staple food after sitting with the millers and traders.
The retailers have blamed the mill owners' syndicates for the instability in the rice market. However, miller denied the allegations.
The authority concerned strictly warned all traders. They further informed that if the rice price does not remain stable, they will import rice by next week.
Visiting the capital's Mohammadpur Rice Market, Karwan Bazar, Rampura, Malibagh, Segunbagicha, Fakirapul, Motijheel T&T Colony Bazar and Khilgaon kitchen markets, it was learnt that, different varieties of coarse and fine rice were being sold at a higher price.
Retailers said, “Despite the government fixed price, the mill owners have not reduced the rice price at mill gates. As we are purchasing at high price we can’t reduce the price. On the other hand, as coarse rice crisis become acute in the markets, demand of the fine rice is increasing. As a result, rice price increased.
Karwan Bazar rice trader Md Yousuf said, “I bought rice last two days at a high price. If mill owners reduce price at mill gate, price will automatically go down.”
He said, “Price of per kg Minicat rice at the mill gate is Tk 54 to Tk 56. It is against the government’s fixed rate. If government finally decides to import rice from foreign countries, millers will be bound to reduce rice price.”
However, millers said, “The sudden deficit in the supply of paddy in the market has pushed up the price of rice. As now, we have to purchase paddy at a higher price, we can’t reduce rice price. Wealso want to sell rice as per government’s instruction.”
Bagura Rice Mill Owners Association president Abdur Rashid said, “Per manud paddy price is Tk 1,300 now, which is very high. We can husk rice from paddy till the end of this month as we have limited stock. We do not want to purchase paddy at high price. If the price of paddy is high the rice price will automatically go up.”
In the market it was found that, coarse rice especially Sorna and Guti are being sold at Tk 44 to Tk 45 per kg, which were being sold at Tk 40 to Tk 42 at the beginning of the week. Medium quality Lota, Paijam and BRRI-28 are being sold at Tk 48 to Tk 50 at retail markets, which were being sold at Tk 45 to Tk 46 last week. Ordinary quality Miniket price stands at Tk 58-60 per kg, which was Tk 52 to Tk 54 earlier. Fine quality Miniket and Nazirshailare now being sold at Tk 60-65 per kg which were sold at Tk 55 To 60 per kg.
Food Ministry on Tuesday after a meeting with traders and stakeholders fixed the mill gate rice prices. As per the new decision, the millers will sell a 50 kg sack of fine rice (Miniket) at Tk2,575 and BRRI-28 at Tk2,550 effective from Wednesday.