Rice, onion prices get costlier

Rice prices have increased again on the kitchen markets in Dhaka this week after falling slightly in the previous week on the news of importing the staple food.

In one week, the prices of different varieties of rice have hiked by up to Tk 5 per kg.

Traders said as the purchase volume of rice has increased to provide relief to the flood-affected people in different parts of the country, the demand for rice has increased in the markets.

Meanwhile, the price of onion, another essential kitchen item, has witnessed a sharp hike this week though Eid-ul-Azha, one of the biggest religious festivals of Muslims, is more than two weeks away.

The price of onion increased by Tk 15 a kg while traders said the supply of onions in the wholesale markets has declined. As a result, prices have risen sharply, which is expected to rise further.

In the capital’s markets on Thursday, Najirshail rice was sold at a retail price of Tk 70-72 per kg which was Tk 65-68 per kg in the previous week.

With an increase by Tk 3 a kg, Miniket rice prices were between Tk 65 and 68 which was sold for Tk 62-65 per kg.

Paijam rice was sold at Tk 50, up from Tk 48 per kg, while BRRI-28 rice was sold at Tk 52-54, with a price hike of Tk 2-3 a kg.

Rashedul Islam, a consumer, told The Business Post on Thursday that he bought a 25kg packet of Najirshail rice of Teer brand for Tk 1,750 which was Tk 1,675 a week ago.

Although the government said there is enough stock of rice, the consumers are spending more to purchase the staple food, he said.

Nazmul Hossain, a trader in Maniknagar Bazar in the capital, told this correspondent that wholesalers have warned them that the rice prices could rise further. Alamgir Hossain, a trader in Gopibagh Bazar, said the rice prices might have risen due to the floods in the country.

Onions get pricier

On Wednesday, the local variety of onion was sold in different retail markets at Tk 35-40 per kg which was sold at Tk 50-55 a kg on Thursday. Besides, the price of imported onion increased by Tk 5 per kg and was sold at Tk 55-60.

Along with onions, the price of the local variety of ginger has also gone up. The spice increased by up to Tk 40 per kg and was sold at Tk 130-150 a kg.

However, the price of imported ginger saw a decline by Tk 10-20 per kg. The Chinese ginger was sold at Tk 80-100 a kg.

Abdul Halim, an onion vendor at Segunbagicha Bazar, said the supply of onions was very low in the wholesale market and the prices were up by Tk 10-15 per kg.

“We have to sell at higher prices because we bought those at higher prices. The wholesalers have told us that the onion prices might rise further.”