Rising demand empties Karwan Bazar of puffed rice, flattened rice, jaggery

• At least 20 shops checked, none had stock
• The highest demand is for puffed rice 
• Jaggery sold out by morning
• Puffed rice priced at Tk70 per kg
• Flattened rice priced at Tk120 per kg
• Vegetable prices fall by Tk10 per kg
• Rice prices remain unchanged 

In response to the heightened demand for puffed rice, flattened rice, and jaggery as flood relief supplies, these items have nearly sold out in all shops at Karwan Bazar in the capital.

From 3pm to 6pm Friday (23 August), at least 20 shops in the market were checked, but none had the items in stock. The wholesale market on the ground floor of Karwan Bazar Kitchen Market also reported a shortage of these products.

Minu Begum, who came to Karwan Bazar to buy puffed rice and rice flakes for flood victims, said, “I need to buy 300 kg of puffed rice and 200 kg of flattened rice. After searching for an hour, I couldn’t find any at the shops.” 

She added, “We have already purchased jaggery, water, and dates. As soon as we get the flattened rice, we will head to Feni and Noakhali.”

According to market sources, puffed rice is selling at Tk70 per kg, hand-made flattened rice at Tk120 per kg, machine-made flattened rice at Tk80 per kg, and jaggery at Tk120 per kg. Among the essential dry foods needed for relief, the highest demand is for puffed rice, flattened rice, and jaggery.

Md Yusuf, a wholesale jaggery seller, said, “I sold jaggery at Tk120 per kg. My stock was finished by morning. 

Md Pratik, a student from a private university in the capital, also came to buy puffed rice and rice flakes to aid flood victims. Expressing his frustration, he said, “If I can’t find them at Karwan Bazar, where else can I get them?”

Meanwhile, sellers have said that some products will arrive at the market on Saturday (today) morning. However, many buyers have already placed advance orders, so not everyone will receive the items.

Abdul Aziz Bhuiyan, who came to buy 2,500 kg of puffed rice at Karwan Bazar, said he placed an advance order after not finding any on Friday, hoping to receive it the next day. He added, “I have placed an advance order for puffed rice but have not yet placed one for rice flakes. We will head to Feni once we can buy the products. For now, we are stocking up on drinking water, candles, matches, biscuits, and dates.”

Vegetable prices drop

Due to an increase in vegetable supply, the prices of all types of vegetables at Karwan Bazar have decreased by at least Tk10 per kg.

Mohammad Suman, a seller, said, “The rain has caused waterlogging, damaging the vegetable fields. Farmers are harvesting their produce earlier, leading to an increased supply. After a week, the supply might decrease, causing prices to rise.”

The price of every kg of vegetables has dropped by at least Tk10, he added.

Taro (Kochur mukhi) is selling at Tk50, eggplant at Tk60 per kg, kakrol at Tk50, pointed gourd at Tk40, and okra at Tk35 per kg.

Green chili is selling at Tk280 per kg, down Tk40 from the previous week. Local onions are priced at Tk120 per kg, and potatoes are Tk55 per kg. Broiler chicken remains at Tk170 per kg, the same as last week, and a dozen red eggs are priced at Tk150.

The high price of rice has remained unchanged over the past month. Miniket rice is priced at Tk70 to 72, Paijam at Tk60, and coarse rice (Swarna) at Tk58 per kg.

Ali Hossain, a sales assistant at Yasin General Store in Karwan Bazar, said, “The price of coarse rice has increased by Tk5 per kg over the last month and has not yet decreased.”