Consumers fret as rice prices shoot up

Despite comfortable rice stocks, consumers are fretting as rice prices have shot up in the retail market over the last ten days. The most consumed variety, white Ponni boiled rice, which is mostly BPT and Bapatla Ponni from Telangana and Karnataka, is priced between ₹71 and ₹100 per kg, with some shops charging even ₹120 per kg.  

N. Kesavan of Mylapore said that over the last six months, rice that used to be priced at ₹75 per kg now costs ₹120 per kg. “Not everyone can afford to buy rice at this rate. Earlier, I used to look for aged rice, as it cooks well and the quantity would be enough for my family. But now, I can only afford the fresh arrivals at ₹70-₹75 per kg.”  

Mudichur resident Sharadha said prices of rice had been increasing ever since the war started, and there was a sudden jump in the last ten days. “The new government in the State should ensure that fine quality and super fine quality of rice is sold in the PDS shops, so that the public need not depend on the private sector for rice,” she said.  

Consumer activist T. Sadagopan said that if rice prices go up, the prices of dals, oils, and condiments too, will automatically increase. “Both Central and State agencies should keep track of the prices of essential commodities in the retail market, and initiate market intervention measures to rein in rates. People are already burdened with high LPG and petrol prices,” he said.  

Ayanavaram Traders Association president S. Samuel Ponni said the thick grains, which are priced from ₹40 per kg, are bought only by those running small restaurants and eateries, hostels, and canteens. “Though we are witnessing a hike in the prices of certain brands of rice, sale of ordinary white rice has come down. Consumers are buying more Basmati rice to even make coconut rice at home. They are opting for five-kg bags,” he said. 

Secretary of the Federation of Tamil Nadu Rice Mill Owners and Paddy Rice Traders Association, A.C. Mohan, said that in the just-concluded accounting year, India saw a bumper crop of 150 million tonnes of paddy. “There is no shortage of rice. This price hike is temporary and the prices will go down in a month. Consumers can buy rice from Aminjikarai, Red Hills, and Alandur wholesale rice markets,” he said.  

Vanigar Sangamkalin Peramaippu president A.M. Vikramaraja said that the hike in fuel prices and toll rates had led to an increase in all kinds of goods. “Transportation costs and labour charges have gone up. This is war time, if the Centre can do away with toll charges or even reduce the fares, it would help the ordinary citizen,” he said.