Rice Prices Rise in Bangladesh Despite Strong Harvest and Imports

Rice prices in Bangladesh have climbed sharply, defying expectations given the robust Boro harvest and increased imports. In Dhaka’s retail markets, Miniket rice now sells for Tk80–82 per kg, up from Tk72–74 before Eid-ul-Adha, marking a Tk4–8 per kg increase. This price surge, which contributes to roughly 40% of food inflation in May 2025, has strained household budgets and raised concerns among consumers and farmers alike.

The recent Boro season, one of the country’s key rice production periods, yielded a record-breaking harvest, with over 95% of paddy collected. Despite this, market prices have not stabilized as anticipated. Heavy rainfall damaged some crops, lowering quality and tightening supply in certain regions, according to rice mill owners in Naogaon. Additionally, posts on X suggest that flooding earlier this year destroyed an estimated 1.1 million metric tons of rice, prompting Bangladesh to boost imports to address shortages.

The government faces calls to implement rationing for low-income households to ease the burden of high prices. Traders have been accused of inflating costs, citing global events like the Iran-Israel conflict, though a recent ceasefire has led to slight price reductions in rice and edible oil. Still, public frustration persists over market practices that keep prices elevated despite ample domestic production and imports from countries like India.

Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 2nd, 2025

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