Retail rice market in northern districts - Naogaon and Natore, known for its grain storage - has become unstable following the increase in the price of all types of rice by Tk 3 per kg.
This instability in the retail rice market has been noticeable for the past two or three days. However, authorities have said that they will take steps to address the issue soon.
According to sources, the wholesale rice market in Rajshahi , Naogaon, Natore, Bogura, Pabna, and Sirajganj - is relatively stable, the retail market is experiencing instability. The situation is causing difficulties for consumers.
Farhad Ali, general secretary of the Naogaon District Husking Rice Mill Owners' Association, informed on Tuesday that the current paddy prices in Naogaon are as follows, Jira Miniket at Tk 1,500-1,520, Kataribhog at Tk 1,520-1,540, Parijat at Tk 1,100-1,120, Subarnalata at Tk 1,420-1,430, and Untrish Dhan at Tk 1,300 per maund.
After purchasing the paddy, millers process it into rice and then sell it at wholesale prices. Currently, Kataribhog rice is being sold at Tk 66-70, Jira Miniket at Tk 62-66, Parijat at Tk 54-56 and Untrish Dhan rice is being sold at Tk 54-56 per kilogram.
Amin, a rice and paddy trader in Natore, informed that the current paddy prices in Natore are as follows, Jira Miniket at Tk 1,550, Kataribhog at Tk 1,600 and Untrish Dhan at Tk 1,400-1,450.
After processing and drying the paddy into rice, millers make a profit of Tk 1 to 1.5 per kilogram. In Natore, the wholesale price of Kataribhog rice is Tk 64-65, Jira Miniket is Tk 62-63, and Miniket rice is being sold at Tk 55 per kilogram.
However, in the retail market, the price of per kilogram rice is observed to be Tk 2-5 higher than the wholesale price. This trend is consistent across various markets in the Naogaon and Natore districts.
When asked about this, shopkeepers in Natore’s Nicha Bazar, Station Bazar, and Dighapatia Bazar explained that after purchasing rice, they incur additional costs for transporting it to their shops.
They stated that if they do not cover all their expenses and earn at least Tk 500-700 for their household expenses after a day's sale, it becomes difficult to manage their livelihoods. Additionally, selling smaller quantities [2-5 kg] results in some losses, leading them to charge a profit of Tk 2-3 per kg.
Mehedi Hasan Tanvir, assistant director of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, Natore District, acknowledged that the rice market has not been monitored in the past two or three days.
He stated that it is not justified for the retail price of rice to be Tk 2-5 higher than the wholesale price per kilogram and assured that the rice market will be monitored soon, with necessary measures taken to stabilise the prices.
