Rice prices in the haor region have fallen sharply amid allegations that mill owners are spreading rumours of government rice imports from India, disrupting trade at the Ashuganj market on the bank of the Meghna River.
Farmers and traders say the alleged misinformation has driven down demand, leaving them unable to sell paddy at government-fixed rates and forcing many to incur losses.
The government has set the procurement price at Tk 36 per kg (Tk 1,440 per maund) for the Boro season. However, farmers from flood-affected haor areas say they are receiving significantly less in the open market, with prices ranging between Tk 850 and Tk 1,100 per maund depending on quality.
Farmer Phul Mia of Bijoynagar said that although paddy has already been harvested, market prices remain low. He noted that paddy is being sold for Tk 850 to Tk 1,050 per maund, while the government has fixed the price at Tk 1,440. He added that even though procurement is officially directed to be made directly from farmers, the reality in the field is different, with traders offering around Tk 900 per maund and up to Tk 1,100 for fine-quality paddy.
Farmer Abu Lal of Nasirnagar made similar complaints, saying that the government procurement price is not reflected in the local market and that government purchases are not reaching all farmers.
It has also been alleged that mill owners are holding large quantities of unsold rice in storage. They fear that if rice is imported, prices will fall further. As a result, they are reportedly avoiding purchasing paddy from farmers and traders in the haor region. This has left many farmers and traders stranded at the Ashuganj market with large quantities of paddy, while middlemen take advantage of the situation by buying at lower prices.
Selim Mia, who brought rice from Mithamoin in Kishoreganj, said the syndicate depresses market prices whenever there are import expectations. He said he has been waiting for four days. He bought rice from the haor region at Tk 1,100 per maund but is now forced to sell it for Tk 850 to Tk 900. He added that boat transportation costs around Tk 10,000 per day, making it unprofitable to wait in the market.
Milon Chandra Das, who brought rice from Ashtagram in Kishoreganj, made similar complaints.
In response, mill owner representative Hossain Mia said there are different types of rice in the market and that mills are currently unable to operate normally. He claimed that mills are not selling rice and that many are already stocked with unsold inventory. He also said there is fear in the market due to rumors that the government may import rice through LC, which has caused a slowdown in purchases.
However, Brahmanbaria Assistant Food Controller (Acting) Noor Ali dismissed the claims, stating that rumors about rice imports from India are false. He said the Ministry of Food issued a circular on June 23 clarifying the matter and that no such import plan exists. He added that the government continues to procure paddy at fair prices and is actively purchasing both paddy and rice from mills, with ongoing market monitoring.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, a total rice production target of 497,790 metric tons has been set for the Brahmanbaria region this year. The government plans to procure 4,993 metric tons of parboiled rice at Tk 48 per kg, 69,272 metric tons of parboiled rice at Tk 49 per kg, and 11,055 metric tons of paddy at Tk 36 per kg.
