Now rice adds to consumers’ woes

Prices rise by Tk 1-2 per kg amid soaring living costs

With prices of essential commodities already soaring, a fresh rise in rice prices has added to the woes of poor and lower-middle-income families struggling to make ends meet.

Rice prices have increased by Tk 1 to Tk 2 per kg over the past week, putting further pressure on household budgets strained by the rising cost of living.

An increase of Tk 1 or Tk 2 per kg may not seem significant, but we fear further hikes as we are already struggling to manage our daily expenses.

Momotaz Begum Resident of Tejkuni Para

Visits to six kitchen markets in Mirpur-1, Mirpur-11, Kazipara, Shewrapara, Ibrahimpur and Karwan Bazar over the past two days found that rice prices had risen by Tk 1 to Tk 1.50 per kg.

“An increase of Tk 1 or Tk 2 per kg may not seem significant, but we fear further hikes as we are already struggling to manage our daily expenses,” said Momotaz Begum, a resident of Tejkuni Para who runs a meal service.

She provides lunch and dinner to around 30 people, mostly day labourers who consume large quantities of rice, charging each Tk 150.

“If I raise the price of lunch and dinner, I may lose my customers. They are unwilling to pay more, especially as I raised the rate from Tk 120 to Tk 150 about four and a half months ago,” she said.

Momotaz said rising prices of other essentials, LPG and electricity bills had already squeezed her earnings and increased her debts.

“If rice prices continue to rise, I will have no choice but to leave this business. A Tk 1 increase per kg has already raised my monthly expenses by Tk 360,” she said.

Kamal Hossain, proprietor of Makbul Rice Agency at Mirpur-11 kitchen market, said prices of all rice varieties except Nazirshai had increased.

After remaining stable for months, rice prices rose by Tk 0.50 to Tk 1 per kg over the past week due to higher transportation costs following the fuel price hike, he said.

Rice prices usually rise around this time as stored rice ages and fresh harvests take time to reach markets. New rice would take at least another two months to become available, he added.

Sohrab Hossain, manager of Janata Rice Agency at Karwan Bazar, said traders had taken advantage of higher transportation costs to raise prices after a prolonged period of stability.

However, there was no shortage of rice in any district, he said.

Zahidur Rahman, 55, an employee of a private courier service, said his income was no longer enough to support his family of six, including four children.

“The money I take to the kitchen market is no longer enough to buy everything we need. I have to drop some items from the shopping list or reduce the quantities to cope with the crisis,” said the Hatirpool resident.

He travels to Karwan Bazar despite having a market near his home, saving at least Tk 100 on purchases worth around Tk 1,200.

His family consumes at least 65kg of rice a month, meaning even a Tk 1 increase per kg adds Tk 65 to his monthly expenses.

Moslim Uddin, a stationery trader, said recent increases in packaged and liquid milk prices had further strained household budgets.