Costlier Rice A Burden To Households

13Friday

July 05, 2007 23:42 PM

Costlier Rice A Burden To Households

KUALA LUMPUR, July 5 (Bernama) -- The increase in the price of rice by Padiberas Nasional Berhad (Bernas) would lead to extra household monthly spending of between 50 and 70 sen per person.

Bernas said in a statement today that effective July 1, the price of rice at wholesale had been increased by 5 and 10 sen per kg for white rice, fragrant rice and basmati rice with a 20 sen increase for glutinous rice.

"As such, the price increase at the retail end cannot be avoided," said the statement.

The price increase was because the price of rice had increased by between 10 and 100 percent since 2005.

Bernas said the increase was due to rising handling cost and fuel price resulting in an increase of between 30 and 50 percent in shipping cost in the first six months of the year.

-- BERNAMA