Imported rice price steady at RM32 or less, says ministry

 

Measures have been taken to keep the price of rice steady and under control, says the agriculture and food security ministry. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The retail price of imported white rice is currently at RM32 and below per 10kg bag, which is the normal market price, subject to demand, says the agriculture and food security ministry.

In a statement today, the ministry said the overall market price of rice was stable as 70% of local rice was sold at prices controlled by the government, Bernama reported.

A ceiling price of RM2.60 per kg for local super special 5% broken had been set by the government on June 16 as an immediate measure to ensure that the market price of local rice in the country remains stable and under control, the statement said.

However, the price of imported white rice is not controlled by the government, the ministry said in response to a forecast of a price increase of RM1 or RM2 for 10kg of imported white rice.

The forecast was made by Mydin Holdings managing director Ameer Ali Mydin who was quoted by FMT as saying imported white rice had gone up last month by RM1 to RM2 per 10kg bag and suppliers had warned of a further increase of RM1 to RM2 per bag.

Earlier today, domestic trade and cost of living minister Salahuddin Ayub denied claims that the price of rice would increase next month, saying nothing has been finalised yet. He said the government had not decided on the matter. - FMT