Dhaka, Oct. 5 -- Rice prices continue to rise in Bangladesh despite record local production and high imports, increasing hardship for ordinary consumers.

In Dhaka's retail markets, coarse rice sells at Tk 58-62 per kg, medium quality at Tk 65-72, and fine rice at Tk 75-98, marking a Tk 2-3 increase over the past two weeks, according to grocers.

Although the government has cut import duties on rice to nearly zero this fiscal year, prices have not eased. According to the Food Ministry, rice imports have reached 0.35 million tonnes over the last one and a half months, with the private sector contributing about 85 per cent.

The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) estimates that Boro season production will hit 22 million tonnes -- th...