•  The price of 25 kg rice has increased from Tk100 to Tk125 per bag
• The mill owners are controlling the price of this rice by syndicate, alleges traders 

File image of sacks of rice. Photo: Collected

The rice market in Dinajpur, a northern district known for its grain storage, has once again become unstable following the increase in the price of all types of rice in the district by Tk4 per kg.

Low-income people are in trouble following the sudden hike of rice in the district.

A week ago, Miniket rice was sold at Tk64 per kg in Dinajpur, now it is being sold at Tk70. Guti Swarna was Tk45 per kg last week, now it has increased to Tk50.

Besides, Brri-28 was Tk54 per kg, now it is being sold at Tk58. Brri-29 was Tk52 per kg last week, now it is being sold at Tk56.

Bahadur Bazar is the biggest rice market in Dinajpur. There too, the price of all types of rice has increased by Tk4 per kg. The price of 25 kg rice has increased from Tk100 to Tk125 per bag.

The price of 50 kg bags has increased from Tk100 to Tk250.

Ranjit, a wholesale rice trader in the district, said that they have to buy rice at a higher price from the mill.

The mill owners are controlling the price of this rice by syndicate. He said: “Once the price of rice in Dinajpur increases, it never decreases again. It is not possible to control the price of rice due to lack of monitoring in the market.”

Due to the sudden increase in the price of rice, the working class and low-income people are the worst sufferers.

They demand that the relevant authorities should take measures to control the market. They also said that the market would be stable if raids are carried out in mills and wholesale shops on a regular basis.

President of Dinajpur Chamber of Commerce and Industries Humayun Reza Shamim said: “There is no supply of rice in the market of Dinajpur. Mill owners are not able to buy rice. The price of rice will go down a bit when Irri paddy is harvested.

“There is no possibility of a reduction in the price of rice until paddy grows.” 

Retail traders also expressed their anger at the sudden increase in the price of rice during Ramadan. They say that hoarders among wholesale traders and mill owners are involved in raising prices.

Jahangir Alam, a retail rice trader, said: “Illegal hoarders are behind the price hike.”

Wholesale trader Ershad said that due to the sudden increase in the price of rice, the sale of rice in his shop has decreased a lot.

Published Date: March 20, 2024