Staff Correspondent . Kushtia

Retail prices of rice have increased by Tk 4–5 per kilogram in Kushtia, a rise traders largely attribute to the domino effect of the recent increase in fuel prices.

The price hike comes following a Tk 2–3 increase in wholesale prices at Khajanagar, one of the country’s major rice supply hubs, as traders blame increased transport costs caused by higher fuel prices. 

Traders and consumers said that prices of basmati, miniket, Kajollata, BRRI-28, and Swarna rice had recently increased.

At the Poradah rice wholesale market at the district’s Mirpur upazila, however, prices remained mostly unchanged. Traders said it was because most of the rice mills were situated around the market, keeping transport costs nominal.

At the Poradah market, fine paddy used to produce miniket rice was found selling at Tk 1,350 a maund (=37.3242kg), while BINA-7 paddy is selling at Tk 1,040 a maund.

Rice traders said that higher fuel prices caused an increase in the transportation costs for carrying rice from mills to wholesale and retail markets, while recent rains had also disrupted rice drying, increasing related costs.

Rice trader Chan Ali at Kushtia municipal market said that retailers had to pass the higher costs on to consumers.

‘When millers raise prices at the gate, we have to buy rice at higher prices. The recent rise in fuel prices has increased transport costs. If millers reduce their prices, we will also reduce ours,’ he said.

Echoing Chan Ali, another trader, Tarikul Islam, also said that the increase in transportation costs was affecting the retail market.

‘The cost of bringing rice from the mills has increased because of higher transport expenses. We cannot sell rice at the previous price when our purchasing and transportation costs have gone up,’ he said.

Abdul Karim, another rice trader at the municipal market, said that mill-gate prices had increased for several varieties.

Some traders and consumers, however, alleged that mill owners had bought large quantities of paddy earlier at lower prices and stored them, creating an artificial shortage before raising rice prices.

A visit to Kushtia municipal market on Sunday found retailers selling rice at higher prices, citing increased mill-gate rates.

A 25kg sack of miniket rice, which sold for Tk 1,625 last week, was selling for Tk 1,750 on Sunday, a Tk 5 increase per kilogram. Good-quality miniket rice was selling for up to Tk 70 a kilogram at retail outlets.

Basmati rice was selling for Tk 88 per kilogram at the mill gate, up from Tk 85, while retailers were charging consumers Tk 90.

Hazrat Ali, owner of Hazrat Autorice Mill at Khajannagar, said that higher paddy prices and disruption in rice drying caused by the recent rain had contributed to the increase.

He also cited higher production and transportation costs following the recent rise in fuel prices.

Consumers, meanwhile, blamed inadequate market monitoring for the price hike.

Kushtia deputy commissioner M Touhid Bin Hasan said that the administration was collecting information on illegal price hikes and preparing for an inspection drive.

‘We are making a list collecting information on mill owners and syndicates involved in increasing prices illegally,’ he said, adding, ‘A coordinated inspection drive will be conducted at mills within the next 2–3 days and take legal action against the errant ones.’

He also urged consumers and traders to provide the administration with information about dishonest rice traders to help curb irregularities in the market.

Published Date: September 28, 2026