Rice prices climb as traders blame higher transport costs

Rice prices have increased in Dhaka markets over the past week, with traders blaming higher truck fares.

Some vegetables, including tomatoes and green chillies, are also selling at high prices, while the costs of several other vegetables have declined. Oil, sugar and eggs remain stable.

A market survey in Dhaka on Friday found that fine rice varieties had become more expensive. Atthash rice was selling for Tk 63–65 per kg, up from Tk 62–63 last week. Miniket rice rose by Tk 2 to Tk 75 per kg, while Paijam rice increased from Tk 58 to Tk 60.

Prices of coarse rice remained unchanged, with Guti Swarna and other varieties available at Tk 50–55 per kg.

Traders attributed the rise to higher fuel prices and transport costs, along with increased paddy prices and seasonal factors. Chishti, a rice trader at Malibagh market, said truck fares had risen, pushing up the prices of some varieties by Tk 50–100 per sack.

In the vegetable market, eggplants were selling for Tk 70–80 per kg, beans for Tk 120–160, tomatoes for Tk 120, and pointed gourds and okra for Tk 50–60. Green chillies cost Tk 120 per kg, while papaya prices had fallen to Tk 20.

Vegetable seller Enamul Haque said prices of most vegetables had not risen significantly and expected them to fall further when winter vegetables arrived.

Sonali chicken was selling for Tk 330 per kg, while broiler chicken cost Tk 180–190. Beef was priced at Tk 820–850 per kg.

Among fish, rohu was selling for Tk 280–350 per kg, climbing perch for Tk 240, pangas for Tk 230 and pabda for Tk 350.