Rice prices rise by up to Tk3 per kg in Dhaka as paddy, transport costs increase
In some areas, prices have risen by as much as Tk50 per sack, while truck rental costs have also increased, he added.
Prices of fine rice in Dhaka's retail markets have increased by Tk2–3 per kg over the past one to one-and-a-half weeks, while medium-quality rice has become costlier by Tk1–3 per kg.
Talking to The Business Standard today (9 October), traders attributed the price hikes to rising paddy prices, higher mill-level rice prices, and increased transportation costs.
The price situation was observed during visits to Karwan Bazar, New Market, and Lalbagh.
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Miniket rice is currently selling at Tk65–76 per kg, depending on the brand. Diamond, Manzur, and Sagar branded Miniket is priced at Tk74–75 per kg, up from around Tk72 a week ago. Rashid-branded Miniket is selling at Tk65 per kg, Tk2 higher than its price one to one-and-a-half weeks ago.
Mozammel brand Miniket, a relatively expensive variety, is now selling at Tk76 per kg, up Tk1 from last week.
Prices of Nazirshail, another variety of fine rice, have also increased. Depending on quality, the variety is selling at Tk70–95 per kg, with prices rising by Tk2–3 over the past one to one-and-a-half weeks, according to sellers.
Medium-quality rice prices
Prices of medium-quality rice have also increased. According to the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), Paijam, BRRI-28, and BRRI-29 rice varieties are selling at Tk58–65 per kg, up around Tk3 over the past week.
Shafiqul Islam, manager of a wholesale shop at Karwan Bazar, told TBS yesterday that rice prices have increased slightly at the mill level in Kushtia and other parts of the country.
In some areas, prices have risen by as much as Tk50 per sack, while truck rental costs have also increased, he added.
Other wholesale traders said that following the diesel price hike last month, transportation costs per truck have risen by around Tk3,000 for rice brought from Dinajpur and Tk2,000 for rice from Chapainawabganj. With other expenses also increasing, traders have raised prices by Tk0.50–1 per kg.
Hasibul Hasan, a private-sector employee shopping at Karwan Bazar, said he bought BRRI-28 rice for Tk60 per kg at the beginning of September, Tk62 towards the end of the month, and Tk64 yesterday.
"Shopkeepers say truck rental costs have increased. Paddy prices and rice prices at wholesale markets have also gone up. That is why retail prices have increased now," he said.
Coarse rice prices, however, remain largely unchanged at Tk50–55 per kg.
Vegetable prices remain high
Most vegetables in Dhaka's markets are selling at Tk70–120 per kg. Early-season winter beans are priced at Tk150 per kg, while cauliflower costs Tk70 per piece and radish Tk70 per kg. Papaya is available at a relatively lower price of Tk30 per kg.
Long eggplants are selling at Tk100 per kg, round eggplants at Tk120, and tomatoes at Tk120–140. Yardlong beans, ridge gourd, and bitter gourd are priced at Tk80 per kg. Bottle gourds cost Tk40–60 each, while taro roots sell for Tk80 per kg.
Regular cucumbers are selling at Tk50–60 per kg, while local varieties cost Tk80–100.
Green chilli prices have eased somewhat following an increase in supply. After selling at Tk200 per kg a few weeks ago, green chillies are now available at Tk120–140, depending on quality.
Abu Daud, a buyer at Karwan Bazar, said he paid Tk140 for two cauliflowers, Tk50 for a bottle of gourd, and Tk40 for a quarter-kilogram of green chillies.
"Buying just a few vegetables costs a lot of money. When I come to the market, I have to calculate which items to buy and which ones to leave out," he said.
Chicken prices are stable, and eggs remain expensive
Chicken prices have remained largely stable, with broiler chicken selling at Tk180 per kg and Sonali chicken at Tk310.
Farm eggs, however, continue to be expensive, selling at Tk155–160 per dozen in different markets. At neighbourhood shops, four eggs cost around Tk55, equivalent to Tk165 per dozen.
Tarek Hossain, a broiler seller, said broiler prices had fluctuated between Tk180 and Tk200 per kg for several weeks.
"If the price falls by Tk10 one week, it rises by Tk10 again the following week," he said.
Sonali chicken prices generally range between Tk310 and Tk320 per kg. Yesterday, he was selling it at Tk310 per kg. Beef prices remain unchanged at Tk800 per kg.
Fish prices remain high
Fish prices also remain high in the capital's markets. Tilapia is selling at Tk250–260 per kg, pangas at Tk220–230, and rohu and catla at Tk380–420 per kg.
Shrimp prices range from Tk1,000 to Tk1,300 per kg, depending on size and quality.
Pabda is selling at Tk350–400 per kg, while large rohu costs Tk450–500. Farmed koi is priced at Tk300 per kg, poa at Tk260, and farmed shrimp at Tk300–450, depending on size. Medium-sized rohu is available at Tk300–350 per kg.
Ramiz Uddin, a fish seller at Karwan Bazar, said demand for fish is higher on Fridays than on other days of the week, pushing up the prices of some varieties.
"Very few types of fish are now available for less than Tk200 per kg. Pangas used to be cheaper, but now it is also selling for more than Tk200 per kg," he said.
He added that fish prices could change even within the same day, depending on supply.
