Bhubaneswar, Oct 23: Rising rice prices have put additional pressure on household budgets in Odisha, with the prices of several popular varieties increasing sharply over the past month. According to traders, prices have risen by ₹15 to ₹25 per kg in some cases, affecting both consumers and retailers.

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Consumers who once bought good-quality rice for ₹50 to ₹60 per kg are now paying as much as ₹80, said Arati Sahu, a consumer. She added that her family of five needs around 1.5 kg of rice every day, forcing them to spend a significant portion of their household income on the staple food.

Retailer Simanchal Sahu said Odisha depends on supplies from other states for varieties such as Lachkari and Shyama Masuri rice. Lachkari rice is sourced from Andhra Pradesh, while Shyama Masuri comes from Jharkhand.

According to him, the wholesale price of a 26-kg bag of Lachkari rice has increased from around ₹1,550 a month ago to approximately ₹2,300. A 25-kg bag of Shyama Masuri rice has risen from ₹1,200 to ₹1,600.

Similarly, the prices of Balaram and HMT rice have increased from around ₹1,100 to ₹1,400 per 25-kg bag. Traders said wholesale prices of some varieties have increased by ₹300 to ₹700 per bag, depending on the variety and packaging.

Gopinath Sethi, president of the Mahuri Rajbati Rice Traders’ Association, said consumers in the city particularly prefer Lachkari and Shyama Masuri rice, often demanding highly polished varieties.

He alleged that rice millers in Andhra Pradesh purchase paddy from Odisha, process and polish it, and then sell the rice back to traders in the state. Transportation costs add to the final price paid by consumers.

Traders are now hoping that prices will ease with the arrival of the new paddy crop.

CH Ravindranath, president of the Odisha Byabasayi Mahasangha, said rice prices had increased by around 30 per cent over the past month, affecting both consumers and traders.

He alleged that tax-related burdens on wholesalers and retailers were adding to their difficulties, while calling for greater support for smaller businesses.

Meanwhile, Additional District Supply Officer Sanjay Mallik said the government’s control extends to rice supplied through the Public Distribution System (PDS). Prices of rice sold in the open market, he said, are determined by millers and traders.

With rice prices continuing to rise, consumers are hoping that the arrival of fresh produce will bring some relief to household budgets.