Staff Reporter | Dhaka | 3 September 2025, Wednesday
Concerns about rice prices in the Bangladeshi market are not new. Fluctuations in the price of rice are a daily occurrence, influenced by production, imports, stock, and various instabilities in the international market. Recently, new reports on the rice market have presented a mixed picture, causing confusion among consumers. The question is, will the price of rice finally fall, or will it rise further? To find the answer to this question, it is essential to analyze some key issues.
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According to data from the country’s Ministry of Agriculture and the Food Department, the recent Boro season saw a good harvest of paddy. The government claims that the stock of food grains is at a satisfactory level. However, despite this, the price of rice remains high in the retail market. Economists believe that despite good production, its benefits are not reaching the common people. An invisible syndicate and a tendency to hoard excessive stock are making the market unstable.
Global rice prices have fallen to their lowest level in several years. In particular, the world’s largest rice exporter, India, has eased its export policy, increasing the supply of rice on the international market. According to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the global rice price index has decreased by 13 percent this year. However, there is no positive effect of this in the domestic market. Some economists believe that the depreciation of the local currency against the dollar and import duties are causing rice prices to rise in the country.
To control the rice market, the government has, at various times, reduced import duties and allowed rice imports. Recently, the government has given permission to 242 institutions to import 500,000 tons of rice. Rice imports have started through various places like Hili land port, and it is known that the price per kg has decreased slightly. However, there is a question as to whether this amount of imports is sufficient to have a major impact on the market.
To protect the interests of farmers, the government has announced direct procurement of paddy and rice. This year, the government has fixed the procurement price of paddy and rice at Tk 36 and Tk 49 per kg respectively, higher than last year. While this benefits farmers, it could also impact the market, as higher government procurement prices could push up market prices. It is a complex equation, where ensuring a fair price for farmers is a major challenge while keeping prices within the reach of general consumers.
There are mixed reactions regarding the future of rice prices. On one hand, domestic production has been good, and international prices are falling. On the other hand, there are questions about syndicates, the rising value of the dollar, and the implementation of government policies. If the import process is carried out quickly and in an orderly manner and proper market supervision is ensured, the price of rice may fall slightly. However, if these problems are not resolved, there remains a fear that the price of rice may rise further.
In the context of Bangladesh, the price of rice is not just an economic issue; it is directly related to the food security of the general population. The government should ensure transparency in the market, take strict action against black marketeers and hoarders, and simplify the import process. Only then will it be possible to stabilize the price of rice, which will bring relief to the common people.
