Various aromatic rice varieties are being sold at record prices in Bangladesh, with per-kilogram prices rising by 60–80 taka over the past month depending on quality.
Retailers and wholesalers linked the price surge to increased exports, saying rising overseas demand has created pressure on local supply.
Open polao rice that sold for around 160 taka per kg a few months ago is now priced at 170–200 taka, while packaged aromatic rice remains at about 210 taka per kg.
Wholesalers alleged that some traders are illegally hoarding rice, pointing to higher demand for Chinigura rice among expatriates.
Consumers Association of Bangladesh president A H M Shafiquzzaman said there is no real rice shortage and suspected that unscrupulous traders are creating an artificial crisis to earn extra profits.
Export Promotion Bureau data show that a total of 23,959 tonnes of aromatic rice were approved for export in fiscal year 2025-26 in two phases.