A file photo shows daily essentials including rice at a shop in capital Dhaka. The prices of fine-grade rice increased on both wholesale and retail markets in the capital after Eid-ul-Azha that was celebrated on Saturday. — New Age photo
The prices of fine-grade rice increased on both wholesale and retail markets in capital Dhaka after Eid-ul-Azha that was celebrated on Saturday.
Retailers said that the prices of Miniket rice and BR-28 rice increased by Tk 2 a kilogram on the retail markets as the wholesale prices of the items soared by Tk 100 a bag (50 kg) after Eid.
They, however, said that the prices of coarse varieties of rice remained unchanged on the market.
The prices of BR-28 rice increased by Tk 2 a kg and its coarse variety was retailing at Tk 50-52 a kg in the city markets, while its fine variety was selling at Tk 52-54 a kg on Tuesday.
The coarse variety of Miniket rice was retailing at Tk 56-57 a kg, while its fine variety was selling at Tk 58-60 a kg.
Mizanur Rahman, proprietor of Hazi Mizan Store at Karwan Bazar in Dhaka, told New Age that the wholesale prices of BR-28 and Miniket rice increased by Tk 100 a bag and the items were selling at Tk 2,400-2,450 a bag and Tk 2,700-2,750 a bag respectively on Tuesday.
‘After Eid-ul-Azha, wholesalers raised the prices of rice on the pretext of a supply shortage during the Eid vacation,’ he said.
Mizanur said that it was a common phenomenon that the prices of rice increased in the city markets after every Eid as wholesalers used transport crisis and vacation at the rice mills as an excuse for raising the prices.
‘After Eid-ul-Azha, the prices of rice witnessed an upward trend in the city markets and the prices of all type of rice increased by Tk 1-2 a kg on both wholesale and retail markets,’ Md Maksud, a retailer at city’s Mohammadpur Nobodoy Bazar, said.
He said that a supply shortage of BR-28 and Miniket took place in the city markets as the transportation and production of rice remained suspended due to the Eid vacation.
Maksud, however, said that the prices of coarse variety of rice remained unchanged and the item was selling at Tk 44-46 a kg.
One of the wholesalers at the Mohammadpur Krishi Maket said that just before Eid the mill owners increased the prices of rice.
Fine variety of Miniket rice was selling at Tk 52-53 a kg while BR-28 rice was selling at Tk 47-48 a kg at mill gate, he said.
Source: New Age
