Three weeks after edible oil prices were raised, the supply of edible oil in the market has yet to return to normal. Retailers report that company representatives are hinting at another impending price hike.
On 2 September, the Ministry of Commerce approved a Tk5 per litre increase in the price of bottled soybean oil. Refining companies had previously submitted a proposal to raise prices by Tk10 per litre and reduced supplies in the weeks leading up to that decision—supplies that remain constrained.
Osmany Hossain, a vendor at Karwan Bazar Kitchen Market, told TIMES, “Dealers hinted that they have written to the government asking for a further increase in oil prices. That is why they are releasing less oil to the market.”
It remains unconfirmed whether this situation in edible oil supply is connected to higher fuel prices. However, fresh pressure on consumer prices was observed across capital markets on the first Friday following a Tk20 per litre increase in fuel prices.
At midnight on Sunday, the government announced a Tk20 per litre price hike for diesel, kerosene, petrol, and octane. Businessmen said that this decision increased transport costs for goods. Consequently, citing higher transport expenses, prices of most vegetables rose by Tk10 to Tk20 per kg.
Yousuf Rahman, a retailer at Karwan Bazar, said, “Due to the rise in fuel prices, truck fares and transport costs have increased. As a result, particularly vegetable prices have gone up.”
Truck driver Sohan Islam told TIMES that truck fares from Mymensingh to Karwan Bazar have risen from Tk10,000–12,000 to Tk12,000–14,000.
Md Riaz, a vegetable vendor at Rampura Kanchabazar, noted that the fare for a medium-sized truck carrying vegetables from Jashore was Tk18,000 before the fuel price increase, but has now risen to Tk20,000.
Consumers complained that goods are being sold at prices far higher than actual transport cost increases due to a lack of effective market monitoring. Khalid Hossain, a buyer, expressed anger, “Fuel prices went up, which might affect commodity prices by Tk1–2. It should not suddenly jump by Tk10–20 at once.”
AHM Shafiquzzaman, president of consumer rights organisation Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), said, “Traders are imposing extra burdens on consumers by arbitrarily hiking prices. Due to the fuel price hike, transport costs per kg might increase by 15 to 25 poisha at most. But traders are taking unfair advantage using this excuse.”
At Merul Badda Kanchabazar, shopper Samrat Talukder said, “Most vegetables are selling in the Tk80 range today. Beans are selling at Tk200 and aubergine at Tk160 per kg. The cheapest item I found was papaya at Tk30 per kg.”
Beans, a winter vegetable, currently command the highest price, followed by aubergines. Prices of pointed gourd (potol), okra (dhendosh), and bitter gourd (korola) have increased by Tk10 to Tk20 per kg. Vendors themselves acknowledged that green chillies priced at Tk200 per kg at this time of year is unusual.
Even during the peak season, Hilsa (Ilish) remains out of reach for average consumers. At Merul Badda and Karwan Bazar, fish weighing 800 to 900 grams were priced at Tk1,500 per kg, while fish weighing 1 kg or more fetched Tk2,200 per kg
Sobhan Karim, a shopper at North Badda Market, expressed frustration, “Buying an 800–900g fish alone takes Tk1,300. If I spend this much, how do I afford the rest of my shopping?”.
Rinku Sikdar added, “After meeting other household expenses, buying fish for two thousand taka is impossible.” Although imported Hilsa from India is priced lower, buyers expressed dissatisfaction over its taste. Md Siddiqur remarked: “I did not enjoy eating Indian Hilsa.”
Tilapia, traditionally known as the poor man’s fish, was sold for Tk270 per kg on Thursday at the super shop Shwapno. In retail markets, it is selling for Tk200 per kg or more. Pangas is likewise selling around the Tk200 per kg range.
Prices of other fish relied upon by low-income groups—such as Koi, silver carp, and mirror carp—are also causing severe distress to buyers.
Depending on the market, broiler chicken was seen selling at Tk185 to Tk195 per kg, while hybrid Sonali chicken was priced at Tk300 per kg. Farm egg prices rose by another Tk5 to Tk10 per dozen, reaching Tk155 to Tk160, while a dozen duck eggs now costs Tk240.
