The price of aromatic rice has nearly doubled in Rajshahi over the past six months, with wholesale prices now reaching Tk200 per kilogram, putting the traditionally popular rice beyond the reach of many consumers.
Farmers and traders say they have never seen such a sharp rise in aromatic rice prices. Rice that sold for around Tk100 per kg six months ago now costs Tk180-200 in wholesale markets, while retail prices are even higher.
Traders blame the surge largely on exports, while other market players point to lower production, early stockpiling by large millers and rising processing and transport costs.
Three leading companies exported a combined 1,530 tonnes of rice in the 2025-26 fiscal year. Much of the country's aromatic rice is produced from BRRI-34, commonly known as Chinigura paddy. Rice currently on the market comes mainly from paddy harvested during the last Aman season.
The last production season was affected by severe heatwaves and a lack of rainfall in parts of northern Bangladesh, reducing aromatic paddy yields. At the same time, large rice processors bought paddy at relatively high prices early in the season and stocked it, creating supply pressure for smaller mills and the open market.
Aromatic rice also requires specialised processing and polishing. Higher electricity bills, milling expenses and transport costs have further increased production and distribution costs.
The price increases have changed the way many families buy the rice, traditionally associated with pulao, biryani and special occasions.
In Rajshahi's Saheb Bazar, open Chinigura rice now sells for Tk140-145 per kg, up from Tk115-120 a few months ago. Packaged Chinigura from leading brands has risen from Tk135-140 to Tk160-170. Local Kalijira rice has increased from Tk120-125 to around Tk150, while Dinajpur's Kataribhog now sells for Tk95-105, about Tk15 higher than before.
For lower-income households, the increase means cutting back on a food once reserved for special occasions.
Mohammad Azad, an employee shopping in Saheb Bazar, said: “Aromatic rice is not an everyday food, but the price has risen so much that even buying it for a family occasion has become difficult. We want to know why the price is increasing so quickly.”
Housewife Selina Parvin said she needed Chinigura rice for her daughter's birthday, when relatives would visit.
“Open Chinigura now costs Tk145 per kg. With the money I previously spent on four kilos, I cannot even buy three kilos now,” she said.
Restaurant owners are also feeling the pressure. Mohammad Golap Sardar, who runs a restaurant in Kumarpara, said he bought pulao rice for Tk130 per kg six months ago. The price has now reached Tk200, but he has been unable to raise the price of pulao accordingly.
Ashok Prasad, owner of AP Chawal Bhandar-1 in Saheb Bazar, said prices began rising after Eid-ul-Azha.
“The price has increased by around Tk100 per kg. This is unprecedented. Rice is being exported, and that is why prices are rising. If exports are stopped, prices will come down,” he said.
Wholesale trader Jasim Uddin of Kadirganj said he now buys aromatic rice from company warehouses at around Tk200 per kg. After adding transport costs and his commission, he said, selling below that price is impossible.
He said he was fined Tk10,000 by the Directorate of National Consumers' Right Protection after officials found him selling pulao rice at Tk200 per kg.
Jasim said he had stopped stocking the rice and believed prices could fall by around Tk50 per kg if exports were suspended.
Trader Rajib Hossain said higher prices were hurting sellers as well, as customers were buying less.
“Customers who once bought five or 10 kilos now often buy just one or two kilos,” he said.
Meanwhile, farmer Asfakuzzaman Babu of Godagari's Keshabpur said he cultivated aromatic paddy on two bighas but sold his entire harvest six months ago.
“If prices remain this high, I will cultivate more aromatic paddy next season,” he said.
Rajshahi chapter of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) General Secretary Golam Mostafa Mamun said. “ We are monitoring the market to solve the situation.”
