Now Reading: Rice prices surge Rs 10 to 40 per kg across Chhattisgarh
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Rice prices surge Rs 10 to 40 per kg across Chhattisgarh
The Story in Brief
Rice prices have risen sharply across Chhattisgarh, with popular varieties costing Rs 10 to 40 per kg more over the past month. In Bhilai, Durg, Raipur and Bilaspur, HMT rice now sells at around Rs 75 per kg, up from Rs 50 to 60 a month ago, while Jeera Rice has touched Rs 120 per kg. Premium varieties like Abba Huzoor reached Rs 110, and Shriram rice crossed Rs 100 in some markets. Ordinary parboiled rice in Bilaspur rose from Rs 35 to Rs 50 per kg.
Rice millers attribute the increase to declining old paddy stocks, festive demand, and limited availability of fine varieties. Farmers are shifting to coarse paddy, assured procurement at Rs 3,100 per quintal, reducing fine paddy output. Unseasonal rain and floods may have disrupted supply, though no official crop-loss figures are available. Hotels and restaurants are also facing higher operating costs. The state begins paddy procurement on 15 November, which may improve supply, but the timing and extent of retail price relief remain uncertain.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The sustained price rise across Chhattisgarh's popular rice varieties, some up to Rs 120 per kg for Jeera Rice, directly strains household budgets during the festive season. Rice millers and traders point to declining old-stock inventories and a structural shift by farmers toward coarse paddy, which is assured procurement at Rs 3,100 per quintal, reducing fine and aromatic variety output. The State's procurement drive starting 15 November will increase raw paddy arrivals, but retail prices depend on how quickly new stock reaches consumers after milling. The coverage leaves unresolved whether the 11 per cent increase in the minimum support price has itself contributed to the price spiral by raising input costs, and whether unseasonal rain, for which no official crop-loss data exist, has further tightened supply. The key date is 15 November, when the state begins paddy procurement, expected to improve supply but with uncertain timing for retail relief.
Source: thehitavada.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
