Rice prices remain a major concern for food inflation as well as overall inflation, according to a report by the General Economics Division (GED) of the Bangladesh Planning Commission.
Spiralling prices of rice, central to the daily diet of millions of Bangladeshis, are emerging as the principal driver of food inflation, defying broader disinflationary trends and prompting calls from policymakers for a deep dive into the cause.
Prices of different rice varieties have increased by Tk 3-Tk 5 per kg in the capital over the last two weeks even though the country is in the middle of the harvesting season.
Although stubborn inflationary pressures have worsened the situation of poor people in recent years, public food distribution under various social protection schemes fell by more than 7 percent year-on-year in the first three quarters of the current fiscal year, driven by political instability and dysfunctional local governance.
For several months, food inflation had also remained in double digits
As inflation greets Bangladeshis at breakfast time, even the humble paratha becomes a symbol of struggle. Once hearty and filling, it now arrives thinner and lighter -- a daily reminder of the unending calculations between hunger and affordability.
The central bank should strengthen its communication strategy to clarify policy decisions and their expected effects on inflation.
In the bustling area of Mirpur-10 in the capital, over 300 people gathered early Monday morning, hoping to buy subsidised essentialsthat serve as a lifeline for low-income families.
High production and transportation costs, limited bargaining power due to market structure inefficiency, seasonal supply, price fluctuations and limited market access for producers are triggering food inflation, according to a study by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).
The central bank should strengthen its communication strategy to clarify policy decisions and their expected effects on inflation.
In the bustling area of Mirpur-10 in the capital, over 300 people gathered early Monday morning, hoping to buy subsidised essentialsthat serve as a lifeline for low-income families.
High production and transportation costs, limited bargaining power due to market structure inefficiency, seasonal supply, price fluctuations and limited market access for producers are triggering food inflation, according to a study by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).
Experts say raising policy rate would have little impact on lowering food prices
Most vulnerable households have had to resort to various coping strategies to deal with food insecurity, with about seven in every 10 selling assets to make do.
Inflation declined to 10.49 percent in August from 11.66 percent in July, according to data released today by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics
Bangladesh’s worsening economic crisis has spun off a price shock with food inflation crossing 14 percent in July for the first time in 13 years.
The FY 2024-25 budget falls short of assessing the depth of the economically challenging time.
Government must address the rising food prices immediately
According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), food inflation jumped 35 basis points to 10.22 percent last month from 9.87 percent in March. This was the first time in five months that food inflation hit double digits.
