Universal rationing, expansion of safety nets urgently needed

Prices of several rice varieties, summer vegetables, and broiler chicken have fallen over the past week in kitchen markets across the capital, while onion prices remained steady and potatoes saw a slight increase.

The liberalisation of trade has changed the agricultural heart of our nation.

Our data shows economic pressures and polycrisis have been growing especially since Covid.

With Ramadan less than two months away, the prices of chickpeas, dried peas, dates, and soybean oil have increased in Dhaka and Chattogram.

Global food prices dropped last year, with notable exceptions like rice due to climate and supply concerns

In a highly competitive market like the egg market, one would expect prices to remain stable. They can rise, but over time.

The prices of rice, wheat and maize fell globally in the two weeks to March 23 compared to two weeks ago, showed the World Bank Food Security Update. 

Why cut back on public food distribution programmes when they are needed the most?

Agricultural, cereal, and export prices have remained relatively stable in the one month to January 17, said the Food Security Update of the World Bank.

Staple food prices in sub-Saharan Africa surged by an average 23.9 per cent in 2020-22—the most since the 2008 global financial crisis. This is commensurate to an 8.5 per cent rise in the cost of a typical food consumption basket (beyond generalised price increases).

OMS rice sale at subsidised prices will bring some relief to the poor

The government will make all-out efforts to keep prices of essential commodities stable through measures like lifting all tariffs and taxes on their imports and taking stern action against market manipulation.