Market insiders say that the actual wholesale rate is around Rs 1300-1400 per 40 kg and wholesalers are preferring to sell it to retailers at that rate than to the government.
MD Haroon, manager of Janta Rice Agency, a wholesaler at Mirpur Shah Ali Market, said he does not see any indication that fine grade rice prices may fall before the Boro season produce hits the market.
“The price of medium grade and coarse rice has fallen a bit, around 80 taka to 100 taka per bag [50 kg], But the price of fine-grade rice is still very high, which may not go down before the end of the boro season,” he said.
Aaron said their sales have also dropped significantly.
“Normally we expect a decline in December as people’s spending preferences change due to school admissions. But we are now in January, and the trend has not changed,” he said.
However, MD Firdaus, an employee of wholesaler Mayor Doa Rice Agency in West Shevrapara area in Mirpur, is hopeful that prices will drop significantly in the coming weeks and his sales will increase.
“We are expecting that the price will fall. We have just procured huge quantities of freshly cultivated rice from the market,” he said, “but there are hardly any buyers. I think things may change in the coming weeks.” Huh.”