Rice prices have increased in both wholesale and retail markets in Naogaon, defying expectations during the peak Boro harvesting season when prices usually remain stable or decline.
Naogaon, one of Bangladesh’s major rice-producing districts, is currently witnessing full-scale harvesting of Boro paddy, with most farmers already bringing their produce home and local markets reporting an ample supply of paddy.
Despite the seasonal abundance, rice prices have risen by Tk 2 to Tk 3 per kg over the past week, causing concern among consumers.
At the municipal retail rice market, Swarna-5 rice is currently selling at Tk 48-49 per kg, up from Tk 45-46 a week ago. Old Katari rice is being sold at Tk 73-75 per kg, compared to Tk 70-72 previously, and Tk 70 per kg from Tk 68, depending on varieties.
Consumers alleged that the unusual price hike during the peak harvest season may be linked to market manipulation and called for stricter market monitoring and anti-hoarding drives at rice mills.
“I work for a private company, and most of my salary is spent on household expenses. Rice prices have increased by Tk 2 to Tk 3 per kg in just a week, putting additional pressure on families like ours,” said local consumer Iqbal Hossain.
Another buyer, Manik Hossain, questioned the logic behind the price increase during the harvest season and urged the administration to investigate whether any unscrupulous groups were hoarding rice to influence the market.
Retailer Uttam Sarkar, owner of Laxmi Rice Store in the municipal market, said prices of both fine Katari and coarse Swarna-5 rice have increased due to higher wholesale prices and limited supply of newly milled rice.
General Secretary of the Naogaon District Rice Mill Owners’ Group Farhad Hossain Chakdar said damage to some crops caused by natural calamities, rising paddy prices in local markets, and the government’s ongoing paddy and rice procurement drive have pushed up wholesale rice prices by Tk 2 to Tk 3 per kg.
Naogaon’s Controller of Food Md Farhadh Khandokar, however, said rice prices have not increased abnormally and the market remains stable at present.
He said Swarna-5 paddy is currently not yet entering markets in significant quantities, leading to a temporary shortage of paddy and a slight increase of Tk 1 to Tk 2 per kg in both wholesale and retail markets.
Farhadh said the suspension of the government’s Open Market Sale (OMS) programme, the halt in rice imports, and farmers selling coarse paddy to government food warehouses at Tk 1,440 per maund have also influenced market dynamics.
“Despite the slight increase, the market is currently in a balanced position and farmers are receiving fair prices for their produce,” he said, expressing optimism that prices will be normal once harvesting is completed and fresh paddy fully enters the market.
“Given the volume of paddy produced in Naogaon this year, there is no possibility of a major rise in rice prices. The current situation is only temporary,” the official added.