Retailers yet to reduce prices of coarse rice

The retail price of coarse rice, which rose steadily in the last 10 days, is yet to come down in the city's retail markets despite a fall in its wholesale price by over Tk 2 per kilogram (kg).
Meanwhile, the government has increased the amount of rice to be sold in the capital's open market sale (OMS) outlets to 586 tonnes from 386 tonnes a day.
The number of fair price outlets run by Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) has been increased to 75 from 50. BDR members will start selling essentials at the new outlets from tomorrow, said BDR officials.
The prices of edible oil and pulse witnessed a fresh hike in the last week. Besides, the prices of onion, chicken, eggs and fish also rose in the city's kitchen markets.
Wholesale prices of different varieties of coarse rice decreased further by Tk 30 per maund (37.32 kg) yesterday. Different varieties of coarse rice were sold at Tk 1200-1250 per maund yesterday while those were sold at Tk 1280-Tk 1360 five days ago.
Wholesalers and retailers in the city's kitchen markets said BDR members have been monitoring the markets and examining the price lists hung at the shops by the traders.
They said the supply of rice is adequate but its sale in both wholesale and retail markets went down significantly.
A wholesaler at Babubazar market said he used to sell 100-150 sacks of rice a day a week ago, but he could sell only 20-30 sacks of rice a day for the last three days.
The minimum price of coarse rice remained unchanged in retail markets. It was sold at Tk 35 per kg yesterday.
The retailers said they are unable to sell rice at a lower price as they can make a profit of only Tk 1 per kg by selling rice at the existing price.
People belonging to low-income group continue to throng the BDR-run fair price outlets and direct sale outlets of the Directorate of Food.
A token system has been introduced at the BDR-run outlets for enabling the customers to buy essentials at the outlets without hassle.
The price of soya bean oil has increased. Per kg non-brand soya bean oil was sold at Tk 103-Tk 104 yesterday, which was sold at Tk 100-101 a week ago.
Per kg super palm oil was sold at Tk 95-96, while it was sold at Tk 93-94 a week ago.
The price of per kg palm oil, which rose in both wholesale and retail markets, stood at Tk 91-92 yesterday while it was Tk 90 a week ago.
The price of pulse also increased by Tk 3-4 per kg in retail markets in the last week. Pulses varying on quality were sold at Tk 70-Tk 95 per kg.
The prices of local and Indian onion increased by Tk 1 per kg in both wholesale and retail markets in the last week.
Per kg battery chicken was sold at Tk 100-110 in retail markets while it was sold at Tk 100-105 two days ago. The price of egg rose by Tk 2 per hali (four), which was sold at Tk 22-24 yesterday.
The price of Hilsa fish continues to rise on the eve of Pahela Baishakh. Besides, the prices of other fish increased by Tk 10-20 per kg.