Dhaka, Sept. 11 -- Prices of flour, refined flour (maida) and aromatic rice have risen sharply in Dhaka kitchen markets, adding to pressure on bakeries, biryani businesses and middle-income households amid a continued shortage of soybean oil.

A visit to markets in Shantinagar, Rampura, Badda and Shahjadpur on Friday found loose flour selling at Tk 50 per kg, up from Tk 45 last week, while the maida price climbed to Tk 80-85 per kg from Tk 70-75.

Aromatic rice prices jumped by Tk 20 per kg even after the Ministry of Commerce halved the export quota for the variety. Quality loose aromatic rice is now selling at Tk 200 per kg, up from Tk 180 a week earlier, while packaged aromatic rice ranges between Tk 220 and Tk 240 per kg. Buyers said t...