High price of coarse rice hurting the poor

The rising prices of essential commodities are making life increasingly difficult for people, especially those from low- to middle-income groups.

Compared to last month, retail prices of coarse rice have risen by Tk 3-5 per kg, while fine rice prices remain unchanged at Tk 60-80 per kg.

Meanwhile, there is no sign of a drop in vegetable prices and within a week, fish prices have shot up by Tk 10 to Tk 100 per kg, this correspondent reports after visiting several kitchen markets in the capital.

Kamal Hossain, of Mokbul Rice Agency in Mirpur, said the wholesale price of coarse rice has increased by Tk 3-5 per kg. "The wholesale price of coarse rice is now Tk 42-46 per kg, up from Tk 40-44 last month."

"There is now a shortage of coarse rice in the market as it is off-season," he said, adding that coarse rice was sold at Tk 48-52 per kg at the retail market.

Monir Hossain Jony, a proprietor of Rony Rice Agency in Karwan Bazar, said rice comes in 50kg jute-made sacks, the cost of which remains hidden in the total price of rice.

"We always get less than 50kg in each sack from the wholesaler. To offset the deficit, we increase the price by Tk 1-2 per kg of rice," he said.

An official of the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) told the correspondent that there is a shortage in the supply of coarse rice.

Since there is high demand for fine rice, millers polish coarse rice which creates a shortage in the supply, he said preferring to remain anonymous.

FISH AND VEGETABLE

There is no respite from the rising prices of fish and vegetables either.

Jitendra Das, a fish trader of Karwan Bazar, said the prices of fish usually rise during the rainy season when ponds in many places get flooded. This creates a shortage in the supply of farmed fish, which has a huge demand for low and middle-income people.

Fariduddin, a metal scrap trader in Karwan Bazar, said he earned Tk 500-600 per day.

"It's becoming increasingly difficult for me to cover my family expenses," he said while buying a Pangas fish.

Yesterday Pangas was sold at Tk 200-220 per kg and Tilapia at Tk 200-280 per kg. While, just a month ago, the same fish was at least Tk 50 cheaper per kg.

The price of however ilish dropped by Tk 100-150 to Tk 1,300-1,400 per kg.

Meanwhile, the price of vegetables has risen by Tk 5-10 per kg.

Traders said many low-lying fields went underwater because of heavy rains and as a result, the price of vegetables shot up.

In a week, the price of a spinach bundle increased by Tk 10-40.

Though the prices of potatoes and onions have decreased in the wholesale market by Tk 2 and Tk 6 per kg, it does not have any impact on the retail market.

A kg of potato is sold at Tk 40 and onion at Tk 70-80 in the retail market.

The price of lentils, oil, sugar, soap and flour however dropped slightly in the retail market.