The prices of coarse and fine varieties of rice marked a fresh rise on the retail markets in the capital over the week ending Friday. The retailers are blaming the wholesalers for the increase of rice prices while the wholesalers are putting blame on supply shortage and high transportation cost. The prices of coarse and fine varieties of rice increased by Tk 2 a kilogram on retail markets in the city on Friday.
The fine varieties of miniket were selling at Tk 48-Tk 52 a kg while its coarse varieties were retailing at Tk 44-Tk 46 a kg.
The price of BR-28 also increased by Tk 2 a kg and was selling at Tk 42 to Tk 44 and coarse varieties of parija was selling at Tk 40-Tk 41 a kg.
Zakir Hossain, a retailer at Karwan Bazar, told New Age on Friday that the wholesalers were behind the increase the rice prices.
‘We have been forced to increase the rice prices every week in recent period as the wholesalers are charging additional prices,’ he said.
Though the transport cost has decreased significantly in last two weeks with the improvement of political unrest, the wholesalers are still increasing the rice prices in the name of high transport cost.
Salim Uddin, a wholesaler at Shyam Bazar, said the prices of BR-28 and miniket increased due to supply shortage as the harvesting season of the paddy had ended nine months ago.
‘Rise in transportation cost also pushed the rice prices high as truckers increased their fare more than 50 per cent due to the political turmoil,’ he said.
Replaying to a question, Salim said truck fare decreased a bit but still remained higher than the usual trend.
Sharafat Hossain, a consumer who is a college teacher by profession, while talking to New Age, said: ‘As consumers, it is less important for us whoever is to blame for the increase of rice prices. But the hike is really hitting hard the fixed- and low-income people.’
‘Now a normalcy in transportation is prevailing across the country but the traders showing the same excuse of rise in the transportation cost. It is simply unacceptable,’ Sharafat said.
He demanded government monitoring in the rice market for the improvement of situation.
The prices of other commodities remained stable in the market over the week.
Bean was retailing at Tk 20-Tk 40 a kg, cauliflower at Tk 25 a piece, cabbage at Tk 20 a piece, aubergine at Tk 30-Tk 50 a kg, bitter gourd at Tk 40 a kg, cucumber at Tk 40 a kg, carrot at Tk 30 a kg, tomato at Tk 30 a kg, radish at Tk 15 a kg and papaya at Tk 15 a kg on the day.
The price of bottled soyabean oil (five litres) remained unchanged and it was selling at Tk 575-Tk 585 on the city’s kitchen markets. The unpacked soyabean oil was retailing at Tk 112-Tk 115 a kg.
The price of the imported onion decreased by Tk 5 a kg and it was selling at Tk 25 a kg on Friday while the local item was selling at Tk 30 a kg.
Broiler was selling at Tk 130-Tk 140 a kg on Friday while the locally-breed hens were selling at Tk 200-Tk 300 a piece of 800 grams to a kg. The price of egg remained unchanged and it was selling at Tk 26-Tk 28 a hali (four pieces) on Friday.
The price of local red lentil remained unchanged and the item was retailing at Tk 108 a kg on Friday.
Potato was retailing at Tk 10-Tk15 a kg and sugar was selling at Tk 48-Tk 50 a kg.
Fish prices remained almost unchanged over the week.
Rohita was selling at Tk 200–Tk 350 a kg on Friday, pangas at Tk 100–Tk 150 a kg and tilapia at Tk 150–Tk 180 a kg, depending on their size and quality.
The prices of beef and mutton remained steady.
Beef was selling at Tk 270 to Tk 280 a kg and mutton at Tk 450 a kg on Friday.
-With New Age input
