|
Rice price stable despite flooding in central provinces
The price of rice in Khammuan province remains stable despite widespread devastation to rice fields in the province due flooding in the wake of tropical storm Nock-Ten.
The rice price is stable at about 5,500-6,000 kip a kg, according to a report from the provincial Industry and Commerce Department.
However, prices for imported products such as sugar, seasoning powder and palm oil have increased by about 10-15 percent since the flooding started, department Director Mr Singphet Keosopha told local media on the weekend.
The price of sugar has risen from 8,000 kip to 9,000 kip a kg, seasoning powder from 12,000 kip to 14,000 kip per half kg and palm oil from 15,000 kip to 18,000 kip per litre.
The flooding has not affected meat prices, with the cost of beef stable at 45,000 kip a kg and pork at 35,000 kip, he said.
“We will be able to manage the rice price and keep it stable as we have a stockpile of rice at rice mill groups in the province, said Mr Singphet.
The province has received 10 billion kip from the government to implement the rice stockpile project this year, he explained.
After more than 10 days of flooding, provincial authorities have set up a disaster management committee at the provincial and district levels to respond to emergency situations and provide assistance where needed.
At present, more than 400 villages, or 69 percent of all villages in the province, have been affected by the flooding, with 34,000 hectares of rice, or 59 percent of wet season rice crops, damaged, according to a provincial disaster management committee report.
About 11,000 residents from 40 villages have been moved to higher ground, with the comm ittee to send these residents back to their homes on ce the floodwaters recede and to mobilise medical staff to provide health care information to prevent disease outbreaks.
Provincial authorities have received about one billion kip worth of assistance, including cash, drinking water and dry food from companies, organisations and members of the public.
The price of rice in Champsaask province, which has also been affected by flooding, is also stable at about 6,000-6,500 kip a kg, according to the provincial Industry and Commerce Department.
Rice mill groups in the province have stockpiled about 12,000 tonnes of rice for release into the local market if prices rise too high, said provincial domestic trade section head Mr Suntisouk Orkeotexo.
The industry and commerce sector is concerned that prices for imported products and meat will rise due to losses of livestock and poultr y in the floods, said provincial Industry and Comme rce Department Deputy Director Mr Bounthan Narisavath.
Many buffalo and cattle in the province died recently in a foot and mouth disease outbreak, he added.
Once floodwaters recede and the situation returns to normal, the industry and commerce sector will increase efforts to manage the prices of various goods.
vientiane times
|
