Despite a continuous decline in global rice and wheat prices, these staple commodities have continued to reach Bangladesh consumers at increased prices. The rising price of the staple commodities in Bangladesh remains a major concern for all as it somehow questions food security as consumers have not benefitted from falling global prices. In this context, experts said that when international food prices rise, traders immediately increase domestic prices, but when global prices drop, it takes much longer for reductions to reach the local markets.
No Valid Reason to Support the Increasing Rice & Wheat Prices in Bangladesh
Market trends suggest that global supply disruptions during the Covid-19 pandemic initially pushed up food prices that later eased out in 2021 as conditions stabilised. However, the Russia-Ukraine war, which began in February 2022, again sent global wheat prices and other commodity prices soaring. Traders in Bangladesh used the global price surge as justification to shrink the size and weight of bread, biscuits, cakes, toast, wafers, pasta, and noodles. Hotels also downsized items like bread, naan, parathas, and samosas while hiking prices, a trend neglecting food security for Bangladeshi’s consumers that continues till today.
Food Secretary Md Masudul Hasan told TBS also said that no official research explains why Bangladesh’s rice, wheat, and flour prices do not align with international markets, making formal comments difficult. To curb domestic rice prices, Bangladesh govt. also recently issued a tender bid to purchase 50,000 metric tons of rice.
Rice Prices Continues to Soar
As per the report and prices from the grain market, retail and wholesale prices of all types of rice – coarse, medium, and fine – rose between October 2024 and October 2025. At the retail level, the increase ranged from Tk0.85 to Tk4.43 per kilogram, with fine rice recording the largest rise.
In October 2024, coarse rice sold at Tk51.43 per kg, medium at Tk61.25, and fine rice at Tk72.67. By October 2025, these prices had risen to Tk52.28, Tk62.43, and Tk77.10 respectively. Trading Corporation of Bangladesh data from 20 November indicates even higher current prices in Dhaka markets. Ironically, international rice prices have fallen sharply over the same period. In October 2024, rice cost $535 per tonne in Thailand, $495 in India, and $547 in Vietnam. By October 2025, prices had dropped to $374, $354, and $356 per tonne respectively. The continuous increase in staple food prices of Bangladesh signals a lack of food security approach for Bangladeshi’s consumers.
No Relief from High Wheat Prices
In October 2024, wheat sold at Tk41.36 per kg and flour at Tk41.36 per kg. By October 2025, wheat had risen to Tk44.06 and flour to Tk44.92 per kg. Retail prices increased by Tk2.70 per kg for wheat and Tk3.56 for flour compared with the previous year. Meanwhile, international wheat prices have dropped considerably.
What Experts and Traders Say
In this context, AHM Shafiquzzaman, president of Consumers Association of Bangladesh, said that Bangladesh rice market has little direct connection with international food prices. “Although rice imports have increased recently, the market depends on major millers and corporate groups. He estimates that current rice prices are Tk10-15 per kg higher than they should be,” he said. Speaking on food security, Zahirul Haque, owner of Arofa Trading in Khattunganj, said that “There is no shortage of wheat. Supply is sufficient, and prices are reasonable. Prices may fall slightly in the coming weeks.” Another expert from Pran Group, Kamruzzaman Kamal said that decline in wheat prices do not translate into reduction in other wheat-based products – such as edible oil, sugar, and butter oil and also not in their labour and transport costs. However, he hinted that reductions may be visible in near future.
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