What should the government do to ensure sufficient rice is available and prevent price rises?

Rice and other food items are on sale at different prices in four districts of Vientiane. As people continue to complain about the price of food, even of things such as rice which are produced in Laos, Vientiane Times asked members of the public for their thoughts on price rises, which sometimes appear to be arbitrary.

Ms Khambang Vongkhamxao, a government official in Xaythany district, Vientiane: As we all know, when the cost of transport rises, everything else goes up in price too. I think farmers should try to boost yields in the dry season to make sure we have sufficient rice and other food. The authorities should advise farmers about ways to produce more food. And the public should keep track of the news concerning product prices. In addition, the authorities should closely monitor vendors at all markets. If they find anyone selling items at an unreasonably high price, that person should be penalised.
 
Ms Lam, a vendor in Xaythany district, Vientiane: I sympathise with consumers. Many people have complained about the cost of the rice I sell, but I buy it from wholesalers, who continue to sell it at a high price. That means I have to sell it at the same rate in order to cover my costs. I think the authorities should strictly control the price of rice and other food items and regularly check producers and wholesalers because the daily market prices are based on wholesalers’ rates. I’ve read in the news that many foreign wholesalers have been buying rice from farmers at a high price, which also keeps the price inflated. I don’t know whether that’s true or not but I don’t think it should be allowed.  

Ms Nout, a resident of Vientiane province: Life is becoming harder every day because rice, food, fuel and everything else is more expensive but our incomes remain low. Last year, I bought Grade A sticky rice for 6,500-8,000 kip per kg but now it costs 13,000-15,000 kip. I think the government should consider this issue carefully and take steps to rectify the situation quickly. If possible, prices should be regulated in all provinces because this would help to cut living costs nationwide. And I really would like vendors to stick to price caps set by the government.

Ms May Bannuvong, a wholesaler in Vientiane: We have to sell rice at a higher price now because we have to travel around Vientiane to buy and sell it. And the price of petrol has doubled, which contributes to the increase in the retail price. Of course, many vendors have taken advantage of this situation and bumped up their prices. I think it’s essential that the authorities monitor the production process so that sufficient rice and other food is available in markets. I also think the authorities should strictly regulate fuel prices and regularly check on vendors to protect consumers. If products are available in sufficient quantities, it will reduce the amount of goods imported from neighbouring countries and it will be easier to regulate prices and prevent any increases by vendors.
 
Ms Bangkham, an employee in Saravan province: For sure, rice is very important to everyone but in recent years we have had terrible floods, especially in the south, where a lot of our rice is grown. This means we have to import rice, and we’re also suffering from currency depreciation and high fuel prices. I’m not sure that the authorities have a system in place to monitor the price of rice that’s imported or to check whether vendors are taking advantage of the situation to raise their prices. I hope the government is paying attention to this and will take steps to prevent more problems.

By Lamphone Pasanthong
(Latest Update August 1, 2022)