Rice market turns volatile, relief in eggs and chicken
A visit to several city markets today found that rice prices have increased over the past week after briefly declining when newly harvested paddy entered the market from mid-April.
Highlights
- Rice prices climb despite boro harvest
- Medium and coarse rice rise fastest
- Polao rice jumps Tk900 per sack
- Eggs and broiler chicken prices ease
- Vegetable supply keeps prices largely stable
- Lentils, flour and spices become costlier
The prices of varieties of rice have risen again in Dhaka's retail markets despite the recent Boro harvest, while egg and chicken prices have eased and most vegetable prices remain stable.
A visit to several city markets today (19 June) found that rice prices have increased over the past week after briefly declining when newly harvested paddy entered the market from mid-April.
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According to the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), fine rice prices have increased by 1.29% over the past month. Rice that had fallen to Tk70 per kilogram is now selling at Tk72, while better-quality fine rice has climbed from Tk80-82 to around Tk85 per kilogram.
The sharpest increases have been recorded in medium and coarse rice. TCB data shows medium rice prices have risen by 2.5% and coarse rice by 3.7% over the past month.
Medium-quality rice that had dropped to Tk52 per kilogram is now selling at Tk55. Coarse rice has increased from Tk48 to Tk52 per kilogram.
Amjad Hossain of M/S Islam Rice Agency in Islambagh-Badamtoli said competition among large buyers for paddy has pushed up prices. Compared to before Eid, Miniket rice prices have increased by Tk300-400 per sack, he said.
Moin Uddin of Haji Ismail Rice Agency at Karwan Bazar Kitchen Market said Miniket rice has risen by Tk100-150 per sack, Nazirshail by Tk150-200 and Atash rice by Tk100. Polao rice recorded the largest increase, rising by nearly Tk900 per sack.
Vegetable prices remain relatively stable due to good supply. Most seasonal vegetables are selling between Tk50 and Tk80 per kilogram. Bitter gourd is selling at Tk70, yardlong beans at Tk60, radish at Tk50, kochur lati at Tk60 and sponge gourd at Tk50 per kilogram.
Papaya is selling at Tk40-50 per kilogram, pointed gourd at Tk60, teasel gourd at Tk60-70, and potatoes at Tk25. Large lemons are selling at Tk20 per four, while small lemons cost Tk10.
Rickshaw puller Idris Mia said most vegetables are now available at Tk50-70 per kilogram, although carrots remain expensive at Tk100-120.
The poultry market has brought some relief. Broiler chicken is selling at Tk150-160 per kilogram, Sonali chicken at Tk320 and eggs at Tk110-120 per dozen. Traders said prices have fallen slightly since Eid-ul-Adha.
Fish prices remain largely unchanged. Pangas is selling at Tk180-200 per kilogram, tilapia at Tk200-230, ruhi at Tk260-350 and mrigel at Tk250-300. Shrimp remains expensive at Tk550-900 per kilogram.
Firoz Mia, a businessman in the New Market area, said that the prices in the fish market have decreased slightly after Eid. However, the prices of most fish remain the same. Usually, the fish market fluctuates between 20 and 30 taka.
Meanwhile, prices of several essentials have increased. A 2kg packet of flour now costs Tk120 and refined flour Tk140. Sugar has risen to Tk110 per kilogram, local lentils to Tk170 and chickpeas to Tk95.
Spice prices have also increased. Turmeric powder and chilli powder have risen by Tk100 to Tk350 and Tk450 per kilogram, respectively. Beef prices remain unchanged at around Tk800 per kilogram.
