A higher price will encourage imports from areas which did not suffer from the problem, and thus increase supply so there is more rice to eat. In the face of the higher price people will also demand less rice. Remember, if the rice price had not changed then there would be no rice at all just before the next harvest. Imagine that they buy to store and sell at a higher price, but there is no shortage before the next harvest. In an open and free market, where supplies can be brought in from elsewhere in response to price changes, speculation is to our benefit.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 10, 2018 18:45 UTC