A detailed price comparison report on local rice prices for the first half year is available in Consumer Report issue No.206. An average price increase of 5 per cent was recorded for Thai rice brands during the first seven months of this year. Consumer Council pays special attention to local rice prices and a specific price report is conducted each month, covering price data from almost 30 local retail spots. Around 70 per cent of surveyed samples come from Thailand, other surveyed rice brands come from Japan and Australia. According to the Council’s data, prices of Thai rice brands increased significantly in the last quarter of 2009, recording an average price increase of up to 10 per cent. Prices then continued to rise in 2010 at an unhurried pace of less than 1 per cent and had become quite stable since this March. During the first 6 months, price increases ranged from 1 to 5 per cent due to import price and special promotions, etc. Prices of brands from other countries tend to be stable. The Council will continue to keep an eye on the market price trend and provide sufficient information to consumers. Consumer Report is now available free of charge at the two offices of the Consumer Council, bookstores and libraries. Consumers may also access the resources online at the Council’s official website (http://www.consumer.gov.mo). For inquiries, please call 8988 9315.
