Rice-onion prices normal: Tofail

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed on Monday said that the prices of rice and onion have gradually become normal in the market.

The minister said this in parliament in response to a supplementary question of ruling Awami League MP Shubid Ali Bhuiyan of Comilla-1 constituency, reports BSS.

The rice price increased as flood damaged crops in the northern districts and Haor areas, said Tofail. “It is not true that the price did not fall.”

Mentioning that different steps have been taken to reduce the rice price, the commerce minister said the rice price was fixed at Tk 39 per kilogram.

About the onion price, he said onion is imported from India and this year the onion production saw fall due to flood there.

The onion price was above Tk 100 per kg in the country’s market, which now has come down to Tk 55-60. “The prices of rice and onion have come down at normal level gradually,” Tofail said.

Besides food minister Qamrul Islam told the House that prices of food grains remain static in the country’s market. The food prices reduced with the fall in food prices in the international market.

The price of a kg of rice declined by Tk 4-7, while the price of flour is now at the lowest level, he said replying to a question of JSD MP Lutfa Taher  of reserved seat-40.