Rice prices mark rise in Dinajpur markets

A wholesale rice outlet at Bahadur Bazar under Sadar upazila of Dinajpur. Prices of rice on both wholesale and retail markets in the district have marked a sharp rise in the last 15 days. Photo: Star

Rice prices have marked a sharp rise in wholesale and retail markets in Dinajpur in the last 15 days, causing a concern to the people of middle and low-income groups.
The wholesalers and rice millers have attributed the situation to frequent load shedding and the ongoing rice procurement drive in the district.
In retail markets, the prices of rice have increased by Tk 3 to 4 per kilogram while the prices of paddy remain static. According to the retailers, per kg of miniket was sold at Tk 32, guti swarna at Tk 23, local swarna at Tk 24 to 25, BR-28 at Tk27 and pari at Tk 27 two weeks ago.
“We are now selling each kg of miniket at Tk36, guti swarna at Tk 26, local swarna at Tk 27, BR-28 at Tk31.60 and pari at Tk 28.50,” the retailers told this correspondent during his visit to a market yesterday.
The retailers alleged that rice prices have shot up due to huge stocks built up by some unscrupulous wholesalers.
Rafiqul Islam, a retailer of Bahadurbazaar under Sadar upazils, said he purchased a 50kg sack of miniket at Tk 1800 on Tuesday while it was priced at Tk 1600 just 12 days ago. “I had to pay Tk 200 more for each sack of rice,” he added.
On the other hand, the prices of Irri-boro paddy have remained at the same level as it was at the beginning of harvest season a month ago. Each 75kg sack of paddy is priced at Tk 1050.
Azizul Islam, a resident of Chehelgazi village under Sadar upazila, said he sold per 75kg sack of BR-28 at Tk1050 16 days ago. Price of each sack of paddy still remains the same, he added.
Refuting the allegation of retailers, Sahidur Rahman Patwari, joint convener of Bangladesh Auto Rice Mill Owners' Association, said prices of rice have gone up due to the ongoing procurement drive and power outages. “Frequent load shedding is greatly hampering the processing of rice,” Patwari said.