Price of rice, chicken, eggs increases

People are having to survive on a reduced income amid this Covid-19 situation, but the price of daily commodities are soaring randomly. 

Different kinds of rice ─ the staple food in the country ─ is now sold at a higher price. Of these, the price of bristly rice, which is the staple food of low-income people, has risen again.

Visiting several retail markets in the capital on Thursday, this correspondent found that Swarna 28, a coarse rice variety, is being sold at a minimum of Tk42 to a maximum of Tk48 per kilogram. But the price of the rice was between Tk 38-45 per kilogram a week ago.  

According to a market analysis by the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), the price has gone up by Tk3 per kilogram in a week. The current price is 19.44 percent higher than that it was in the same period last year.

Arifur Rahman, a private job holder who came to purchase rice at a grocery store in the DIT residential area of ​​Badda, told The Business Standard that the country's biggest paddy season was going on. 

"Every year at this time, rice prices drop. But the scenario is opposite now, it is on the rise. We are having a decreased income but the cost of living is increasing every day," he said.

Traders are of the opinion that the price of paddy has increased, so the price of rice is on the rise. The farmers are profiting more by selling rice this year than in other years. 

It is known that paddy is being sold at Tk850-1,050 per maund. However, the government is buying paddy for Tk1,040 per maund.

Abdul Hai, a wholesaler in Kawran Bazar said, "The price of rice is higher because of the high price of paddy."

Visiting the markets, this reporter also found that four pieces of eggs were sold for Tk35. The price has increased by 7.94 percent. However, a dozen eggs cost between Tk100 – Tk105. 

In line with eggs, the price of broiler chickens has also increased. It now costs Tk160-Tk165. However, it was Tk140-Tk145 a couple of weeks ago.