It is when the price of a staple food rises and masses are being affected; one can see how effectively people can work together as one to make something happen. With the gradual growth in the price of rice in South India, West Bengal grocers eye for profitable few months ahead.
Minister for Cooperation K Surendran from Kerala in the State Assembly said, “We have formed a association of representatives from Primary Agricultural Co-operative Societies to undertake procurement from West Bengal. The procurement will be completed by March 10.”
This association has been assigned with Rs.100 crore to get rice from West Bengal. At present, the price of all premium rice brands in Kerala is shooting through the roof. Jaya rice costs Rs.48 per kilo, Matta rice costs Rs.43 per kilo and Surekha rice costs Rs.37 per kilo.
Surendran continued by saying, “The rice is currently selling at a fair price only in West Bengal. In southern states, there is a shortage of the premium rice brands. ‘Suvarna’, the rice brand that’s popular in Karnataka is not relished in Kerala market.”
This is not the first time when Kerala is importing essential products from other states, especially West Bengal. Whenever there is price washout from the Andhra market, West Bengal steps up and shares rice and potatoes to the state.
At present the traders have said that there has been over 26% increase in the price of the premium brand Jaya. About 40 lakh tonnes of rice per annum is consumed by Kerala. Jaya and Surekha rice from Andhra Pradesh accounts for 22 lakh tonne.
Image Credit: LMJ International Limited
