Consumer Council released the specific price survey on rice for January. In comparison with last (December 2011) survey’s figures, 10 out of the 16 surveyed rice brand samples showed stability in price, other 6 samples recorded price increase of about 5 percent. According to recent price surveys on rice conducted by the Council, price increases in recent months had slowed down; the Council will continue to keep an eye on the price trends of rice.

The specific price survey on rice conducted on January 5th showed that prices of most Japanese, Australian, and Thai rice brands had all been raised. Out of the 16 surveyed rice brand samples, 6 of them recorded price increases of about 5 percent. Though price increases had slowed down in recent months, certain rice brands still recorded obvious rise in price: ‘"Fung Soi" Thai Hom Mali Rice (10kg)’ and ‘"Tsing Ling Gi" Thai Hom Mali Rice (10kg)’ both had a price increment of 21 and 15 percent respectively, ‘Golden Elephant Brand Premium Jasmine Rice (8kg)’ also recorded price rises in several retail spots from 5 to 8 percent.

For prices of the same brand sold in different retail outlets, price discrepancies still exist in certain outlets, consumers are advised to check with the data conducted by the Council.

Consumer Council indicated that local rice price is expected to rise. The Council will continue to pay heed on the change in rice prices and provide timely resources for consumers. The Council also plans to include the search function of this specific price survey to its newly released iPhone app for consumers’ easy reference.

The latest specific price survey on rice can be accessed at the Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo), consumers may also get access to individual pages of each rice brand on the ‘Price Information Platform’ to get full details of rice price. For inquiry, please call 89889315.

The above article is accessible at http://www.consumer.gov.mo/c/ccnews.asp