The New Nation - Internet Edition

Business Reporter

The rice price remains unchanged in the city markets despite inclement weather that lasted for two days. The finer quality of rice is selling at between taka 42 and 45 per kilo while the coarse rice around taka 30, 31 only. BRI-29 is selling at taka 34-35 only, signaling that the possibility of rice price coming down to the level of holy Eid ul Azha is little.

A retailer said, if the boro target is achieved and if the government continues to import, the price of the coarse rice may not further go up but it may not have any favourable impact on the finer quality of rice. At Faridpur Thana under Pabna district, the finer quality of rice (not miniket or nazirsail) is selling at taka 35 and the coarse rice at taka 27-28.

However, the price of vegetables is really cheap. Potato sells at taka 14 per kilo in the city markets, bean at taka 12 to 16, cucumber at taka 12, brinjal at taka 12 to 16, a large size cabbage at taka 10 to 12 and a medium size cauliflower at taka 8 to 10. Abdullah (not real name), a resident of Mohammadpur said, it is true that the vegetables price is cheap, but we need rice more importantly. As the present price level is much higher than what it should be, we find no comfort in it exclusively.

The edible oil price has crossed one hundred marks. Rupchanda brand of edible oil now sells at taka 105 per liter and Teer brand at taka 102 only. A housewife on condition of anonymity said, I have minimised the use of edible oil to adjust the increased price. There is no second choice.

The coarse flour sells at taka 43 per kilo, making it difficulties for the members of the middle-income group to adjust. "Our income has remained the same. In contrast, the household expenditures have increased by over 40 percent considering the rice, edible oil and coarse flour price," said a consumer on condition of his name not to be disclosed.