Wholesale and retail traders, along with consumers, report a rapid decline in the prices of Nadu and Kakulu rice varieties.
Accordingට Marandagahamula traders, the wholesale price of a kilogram of White Kakulu rice – which has a maximum retail price (MRP) of Rs. 220 – is currently hovering between Rs. 165 and Rs. 180. Similarly, a kilogram of Nadu rice, also capped at a controlled price of Rs. 220, is now wholesaling between Rs. 180 and Rs. 190.
However, the wholesale price of Samba rice remains high at around Rs. 235 per kilogram, just below its controlled price of Rs. 240.
Despite the drop in prices, wholesalers note that consumption has decreased to some extent, and overall rice sales remain at a very low level.
Meanwhile, residents in Colombo and its suburbs point out that despite the drop in wholesale prices, some retail shops continue to sell rice above the government-controlled prices. They complain that the benefit of the wholesale price drop is not reaching consumers and urge the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) to pay closer attention to this situation and increase enforcement.
