The prices of several varieties of rice in the local market have gone up by over 200% since the beginning of this year. With the virtual absence of Indian parboiled rice in Qatar, customers hop from shop to shop in search of their favourite staple. According to importers and retail outlets, there were no possibilities of the prices falling in coming months. “In fact, the prices are expected to go up,” an importer said. They said the chances of the Indian government lifting the ban on exports of rice other than basmati, are very rare. Attributing New Delhi’s stance to the continuous rise in India’s domestic consumption, they said the ban was aimed at checking the rise in prices. Another importer said rice prices have shot up to 250% in the last six months in the local market. “A 20kg bag of Indian parboiled rice was sold for QR34-35 in the beginning of this year. Now, it costs QR110.” Retailers said a 20kg bag of parboiled rice, now mostly coming from Thailand, is sold for QR110. “Thai parboiled rice is available, but customers would take time to get adjusted to it,” a retailer said. A trader said importers are now trying to bring in rice from Vietnam, but capitalising on the situation, Vietnamese exporters have been consistently raising the prices. A trader admitted that small quantities were also arriving in through illegal export from India. “However, no importer could rely on such channels for a regular supply,” he said. Speaking about basmati, importers said the situation is not any different as far as the prices are concerned. “Higher prices have made it less attractive to the middle and lower middle class people. There is hardly any rise in the quantities of basmati rice traded in the market,” an importer said. “A 5kg bag of a popular brand of basmati, sold for QR19-22 seven months go, now costs about QR55,” a trader said. One wholesaler said a tonne of Indian basmati, which was available for $850 in the beginning of this year, now costs about $1850. Pakistani basmati, quite popular in Qatar, too costs almost the same.