Yasir Wardad

Rice prices continue to rise in Bangladesh despite record local production and high imports, increasing hardship for ordinary consumers.

In Dhaka’s retail markets, coarse rice sells at Tk 58-62 per kg, medium quality at Tk 65-72, and fine rice at Tk 75-98, marking a Tk 2-3 increase over the past two weeks, according to grocers.

Although the government has cut import duties on rice to nearly zero this fiscal year, prices have not eased. According to the Food Ministry, rice imports have reached 0.35 million tonnes over the last one and a half months, with the private sector contributing about 85 per cent.

The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) estimates that Boro season production will hit 22 million tonnes — the highest ever.

Md Moniruzzaman, director (Procurement) of the Directorate General of Food, said the government procured a record 1.7 million tonnes of rice during the May-August Boro season due to strong harvests.

Public warehouses currently hold around 1.6 million tonnes of rice, he added.

The government plans to import a total of 0.5 million tonnes for strategic reserves, of which 50,000 tonnes have already arrived. Aman season procurement will begin in November, ensuring no immediate supply concerns.

Global rice prices, however, tell a different story.

According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) All Rice Price Index, global rice prices fell 0.5 per cent in September and are now 24.2 per cent lower than a year ago — the lowest in five years.

Indica rice, widely consumed in South Asia, led the monthly decline with a 0.9 per cent drop. Prices of importable rice in India, Vietnam, and Pakistan ranged between US$364 and $390 per tonne in September.

A rice importer from Dinajpur said domestic milling hub prices have remained almost stable, with the difference between imported and locally milled coarse and medium rice only Tk 1.0-2.0 per kg.

“Continued imports have helped keep the market steady. Without imports, prices could have risen further,” he added.

Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) Vice President SM Nazer Hossain says consumers are not benefiting despite strong local production, high imports, and government procurement.

“Millers dominate both local and imported rice, and they even supply government warehouses. Weak market monitoring allows them to fix prices as they wish.”

Value chain expert Prof Rashidul Hasan added that rice prices fell slightly in June but rose again during the peak Boro harvest season.

“The government has failed to establish an effective system for buying rice or paddy directly from farmers. Without such a system, the rice market will always remain under the control of millers,” he said.

Published Date: October 5, 2025