Market syndicates hurt ordinary consumers: Food minister

Ordinary consumers suffer when market syndicates operate, Food Minister Afroza Khanom said today (6 October), stressing that the government does not want such groups to exist in the market.

"We hope that one day we will no longer have to use the word 'syndicate'," she told journalists after inspecting government food storage facilities and other installations in Narayanganj's Siddhirganj.

Ensuring safe food reaches consumers remains one of the government's key priorities, the minister said.

The Food Ministry is regularly monitoring market conditions, foodgrain stocks and supply chains in line with directives from the prime minister, she said.

"There has been no major crisis so far. We are prepared to quickly address any problems if they arise in the future," Khanom added.

Asked about the government's project to produce fortified rice, the minister said she could not give a specific timeline for its launch.

"We have come here today. We will discuss the matter with the relevant officials and try to launch the project as soon as possible," she said.

Khanom began her programme today by inspecting the Poshthogola Government Modern Flour Mill in Dhaka at around 10am.

She then visited the Narayanganj silo at around 1pm, where she inspected the facility and the Narayanganj Premix Kernel Mill.

During the visits, the minister discussed foodgrain storage capacity, stock management, mill operations and overall food management with officials and sought details about the facilities.

Officials from the Narayanganj district administration and representatives of relevant departments were present during the inspections.