Food Adviser hopes rice prices not to increase

The country currently has the highest-ever government stock of food grains, and there is no expectation of a rise in rice prices, Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumdar said.

He made the remarks on Sunday (January 4) during a media briefing on the country’s food stock situation. Food Secretary Firoz Sarker and other officials of the Ministry of Food were present at the briefing.

The food adviser said rice prices had increased last year due to the formation of the government and natural disasters. “This year, food grain stock is at its highest level, and we hope rice prices will not increase,” he said.

He added that government warehouses currently hold 2.027 million tonnes of food grains, while the government has the capacity to raise stock levels to up to 2.4 million tonnes.

A significant amount of rice and paddy will also be procured during the upcoming Boro season, he said, adding that procurement during the current Aman season has been satisfactory.

According to the adviser, food grain stock this year is the highest compared to the past five years.

Regarding rice imports from India, he said imports are continuing as usual and there is no political issue involved. “We do not see any political issue in imports,” he added.