Kolkata: Increased retail price of rice, the main principal in East India, causing large stress on households has struggled with a strict budget and more commodity prices.
Record procurement of rice, massive growth in rice exports to Bangladesh and Vietnam and higher transportation costs have contributed to price increases that have occurred twice in the past two months.
Parboiled rice varieties, especially smooth and long, has increased by Rs 8-12 per kg since November.
This is a variety that is mostly consumed in Bengal cities.
Traders said the price could rise further because of the high demand for long Bengal varieties in Bangladesh and other countries in the region.
The Government of State of Agri-Advisor Pradeep Mazumdar, however, eliminates such fear, said the price can actually stabilize and even go down as Boro plants are harvested.
“All these long rice varieties are products from Boro Season.
Seeds have just been sprinkled and we expect good plants.
Prices must go down,” he said.
But rice traders say while the central and state have bought the amount of rice at higher MSPs in 2020-21, sowing only 40% compared to 2019-20, leaving a deficit in production.