Dhaka Markets See Sharp Surge in Aromatic and Polao Rice Prices

Aromatic and polao rice prices have witnessed a sharp increase across markets in Dhaka, according to recent market observations reported yesterday, Thursday. Consumers in the capital are now facing significantly higher costs for both packaged and loose varieties of polao rice, placing an added burden on household budgets as staple food expenses continue to fluctuate across the country.

According to market rates recorded yesterday, packaged polao rice is currently being sold at 210 to 230 taka per kilogram, while loose polao rice is priced between 180 and 200 taka per kilogram. This represents a drastic jump from just one month ago, when packaged polao rice was available for 120 to 130 taka per kilogram and loose polao rice sold for approximately 110 taka per kilogram. Furthermore, wholesale prices for quality chinigura rice have also surged, with a 50-kilogram sack rising from 7,500 taka to 9,500 taka over the same one-month period.

Local retailers have pointed directly to external market pressures as the primary driver behind the steep price hikes. Saddam Hossain, a merchant at Saddam General Store, commented on the situation by stating, 'Now a huge quantity of polao rice is being exported. That is why the price has increased a lot.' Industry data shows that approximately 2,000 tonnes of aromatic rice have been exported over the last month alone, heavily impacting domestic supply dynamics.

Statistical overviews provided by relevant agricultural and trade organizations reveal a massive expansion in authorized shipments abroad. According to the data, the government has approved a total of 45,320 tonnes of aromatic rice for export across 278 companies in two phases during the current fiscal year, a substantial increase compared to the 23,959 tonnes approved during the previous fiscal year.

Despite the heavy outflow of exports, national production figures indicate that domestic output remains robust. The country produces at least 1 million tonnes of aromatic rice annually against an internal demand of approximately 400,000 tonnes, leaving a surplus of about 600,000 tonnes. At the regional production level, agricultural tracking by the Department of Agricultural Extension shows that chinigura paddy cultivation in Dinajpur has expanded to 95,000 hectares this current year, up slightly from 94,000 hectares cultivated in the previous year.