In Dhaka's markets, flour prices increased once again, as the cost of essentials continues to soar.
Maida, a finer form of flour, saw a price increase to Tk82 per kg, while atta, a coarser form, saw a price increase to Tk75 per kg, marking increases of Tk 5.0-7.0 per kg in a week and Tk 15 per kg in a month.
The main cause of the increase, according to value chain experts and traders, is low wheat import combined with higher cost and low local production.
On Tuesday, the majority of city groceries were selling atta for Tk70–75 per kg and each two-kg pack of branded packet maida for Tk160–165.
According to grocery stores in various urban areas, loose atta was sold for Tk68–70 per kg and loose maida for Tk74–76 per kg.
The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) also noted increases in flour prices of 6–8% in a week, 10–12% in a month and 60–71% in a year.
The Ministry of Food reports that only 0.6 million tonnes of wheat were supplied by the private sector between July and November of FY23. 0.28 million tonnes were also brought by the government.
The country produced 1.1 million tonnes of wheat in FY22 compared to a demand of 7–7.5 million tonnes, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).
The amount of wheat imported by Bangladesh in FY22 was 4 million tonnes, which was a six-year low.
