After remaining stable for a long time, the rice market in Satkhira
has become unstable with a sudden surge in price of the staple.
Price of per sack (60 kgs) of rice has increased by Tk140 to Tk160 at
wholesale level even though it is peck season for the item.
Per maund of rice is now selling at Tk100-Tk 150 higher price.
Traders said due to the government’s stoppage of selling rice in the
open market, demand of rice has increased, shooting up its price
consequently.
Jhaodanga Bazar of Satkhira sadar uazila is the biggest wholesale
market in the district.
Everyday several thousand maunds of rice are traded here.
There are about 200 small and big wholesale rice shops in this market.
This correspondent, while visiting Karim Auto Rice Mill, found a 60kg
sack of boro 28 rice selling at Tk1,290 and fine variety minicate rice
at Tk1,400.
The coarse rice varieties were selling for Tk 1,040 per sack.
But three weeks ago, boro 28 rice was sold at Tk 1,150 per sack,
minicate at Tk 1,280 and coarse varieties of rice at Tk950.
Proprietor of Karim Auto Rice Mill Jonaem Naser Duek said after
remaining steady for a long time, price of rice has become high.
He said price of rice has suddenly increased due to stoppage of its
open market sale by the government.
Another rice trader Abdul Karim said if he could earlier assumed the
sudden rise in the rice price, he would have bought more rice and
stored it.
Last season, he suffered loss by keeping a huge stock of rice.
This season, he did not keep any big stock.
Rice trader Rafiqul Islam at Jhaudanga market said the price of rice
has increased several times in the past two weeks.
He apprehended that the price might increase further.
Satkhira district agriculture distribution officer Akmal Hossain said
at least farmers will be benefited with fair price for the increase in
rice price.
(UNB, Satkhira)
