50 Kg bag of Super Fine rice touches Rs 2200 mark
Prices of all commodities soar
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 23 2024: Amidst the crippling impact of the protracted violent crisis on the State's economy, prices of almost all essential commodities including rice have soared to the limits.

The price of local rice has hit Rs 55 per Kg while Super Fine rice is sold at Rs 45 to Rs 50 per Kg.

Onion is priced at Rs 65 per Kg while potato is sold at Rs 45 to 50 per Kg.

During a random survey carried out by The Sangai Express, a rice dealer at Nagamapal said that the price of a bag (50 Kg) of Super Fine rice rose from Rs 1950 to Rs 2000, then Rs 2100 and again to Rs 2200 during the past fortnight.

She said that they have been selling Super Fine rice at Rs 2200 per bag since the last five days while Permal rice is sold anywhere near Rs 3000 per bag of 26 Kgs.

50 Kg bag of Super Fine rice touches Rs 2200 mark

It is said that the price of Super Fine rice has escalated to Rs 2300 per bag at Lamlong Keithel.

Local shops have been selling Super Fine rice at Rs 45 to Rs 50 per Kg in retail.

Loukham Thoi Leima who sells local rice at Khwairamband Ima Leima-rel Sidabi Keithel (Keithel No 1) said that the local rice was sold at Rs 45 per Kg till the beginning of 2024 .

With the stocks of the previous harvest depleting fast, the price of local rice has now escalated to Rs 55 per Kg, she said.

The price of chak-hao (red and white) has reached Rs 120 per Kg while chak-hao (black) is sold at Rs 100 per Kg.

It is feared that the local rice may become even more costlier next year if paddy cultivation is affected by the frequent floods witnessed this year.

One non-local shopkeeper who runs a grocery store on the northern side of the temporary market said the price of onion has reached Rs 65 per Kg.

Prices of other commodities, according to the shopkeeper, are potato Rs 37 per Kg, garlic Rs 200 to Rs 240 per Kg, dry chilli Rs 200 to Rs 250 per Kg, Hawai Mairongbi Rs 180 per Kg, Hawai Moong Rs 130 per Kg, Hawai Kangtak Rs 65 per Kg, Sagolhawai 130 per Kg and Razma Rs 100 per Kg.

The shopkeeper said that prices of commodities have been fluctuating every now and then on account of frequent disruptions including landslides, bandhs and blockades on National Highways.

Loitongbam Memcha Leima of Sekmaijin Khunou who sells fish at Khwairamband Keithel said that local Rohu is sold at Rs 230 to Rs 250 per Kg while grass carp (big size) is sold at Rs 270 to Rs 300 per Kg.

Common carp is sold at Rs 220 to Rs 300 per Kg, Ukabi at Rs 250 per Kg, Porom at Rs 300 to Rs 400 per Kg, Memcha said.

She said that these prices are a little lower than the earlier prices.

As for the imported fishes, Rohu is sold at Rs 200 per Kg, Ngahei at Rs 160 per Kg, Sareng at Rs 330 per Kg, Pengba at Rs 180 per Kg, Elisha at Rs 700 per Kg and Ahila at Rs 230 per Kg.

On the other hand, prices of handloom products have come down as the volume of sale has been seriously affected by the protracted crisis.

Both handloom weavers as well as clothiers have been facing a hard time as sales of handloom products have plummeted to an all-time low.

One Haobijam Shanti Leima who sells Phanek Mayeknaibi at Khwairamband said that it is becoming very hard nowadays to sell even a single piece of Phanek in a day.