The price of rice has started to decline. The heat of the vegetable market is also decreasing due to increased supply. Some are even getting 10 to 20 taka less. Due to the reduction in duty and government imports, the price of rice per kg has decreased by 1 to 2 taka in a week. This picture was seen while visiting the Agargaon Raw Market, Mohakhali and Karwan Bazar in the capital on Wednesday.

Even after the new paddy was harvested, the rice market remained high for two consecutive months. However, due to the reduction in import duties and the impact of government-led imports, yesterday, at the retail level, thin or miniket rice was sold at 72 to 80 taka per kg and medium or BR-28 and Pajama varieties at 58 to 66 taka per kg. Thick or small Swarna and China Eri at 52 to 55 taka per kg. Indian medium quality rice at 56 to 58 taka per kg and coarse varieties at 50 to 52 taka per kg.

Currently, most rice imports are subject to only 2 percent advance income tax, up from 63.25 percent customs duty. The Planning Commission's October Update and Outlook Report on rice prices said that rice prices have started to fall due to the government's rapid action. Compared to August, they fell by about 1 percent in September. However, the prices of coarse and fine rice are still 15 percent higher than this time last year.

The report said that to keep the supply system stable in the market, the government has approved the import of 50,000 tons of rice from India and 220,000 tons of wheat from the United States. The government plans to import another 400,000 tons of food by November to keep the stock situation normal.
As part of the emergency purchase, the government has reduced the period of international tenders from 27 to 15 days. As of October 15, the government treasury had 15 to 50,000 tons of food grains in stock. The outlook indicated that rice prices will remain normal in the coming days due to various steps taken by the government.

Last week, most vegetables were sold for 60 to 80 taka, and even a few above 100 taka. However, yesterday, several vegetables were seen selling for 10 to 20 taka less. At the retail level, per kg of kankrol is being sold for 80 to 90 taka, which was 90 to 100 last week. Last week, dal, which was 70 to 80 taka, is being sold for 60 taka.

Patol is being sold at a price of 60 to 70, Uchhe at 80 to 100, Jhinge at 60 to 70 and Radish at 40 to 45, down by about 20 taka. The cost of Dhundal is 60 taka, which was 70 to 80 last week. Raw papaya is being sold at 30 to 35, Barabati at 100 to 110 and long brinjal at 80 to 100 taka. Tomato and cucumber are being sold at a price of 100 to 110 and 50 to 60 taka respectively, down by about 20 taka. Raw chilli is being sold at 140 to 170 taka per kg, as per last week.

Local lentils are being sold at the previous price of 150 to 155 taka and imported lentils at 95 to 105 taka. There was no significant change in the prices of chicken, eggs and fish in the market.