wheat stocks declined abnormally, negative impact on prices

Wheat stocks in government warehouses in the country have declined abnormally. Its negative impact has also increased prices. However, imports are going on at public-private level to increase stocks. In the meantime, wheat has been added to the main stream. Wheat stocks in government warehouses have come down to below one lakh tonnes.

According to the Ministry of Food, the government currently has only 96,000 tonnes of wheat in stock. Which is about one-fourth more than the same period last year. At the beginning of March last year, there were 336,000 tons of wheat in the government’s warehouse. In such a situation, the price of flour has also gone up in the market.

According to the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), the price of flour in the market has increased by 11 percent in one year. Besides, the price of flour has increased by 4.5 percent.

The wheat currently stored in warehouses is not enough for the government. Because the government needs four lakh tons of wheat for various financial and relief activities every year. Distribution decreases when stocks are low, which creates additional stress on rice consumption. In addition, since the government’s total foodgrain stocks include rice and wheat, wheat stocks also need to be adequate.

Sunbd/NJ