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.
Trader sources 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 Tk1,040 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.(Source: UNB)
