Mustard oil, derived from crushing the seeds of the eponymous plant, is steadily regaining popularity in Bangladesh as higher soybean oil prices have made the cooking staple increasingly competitive, according to market players.
Besides, mustard oil is the preferred choice for many because of its perceived health benefits, driving rapid growth in both imports and local production.
Bangladesh consumes up to 2.4 million tonnes of edible oil each year, with 90 per cent of the demand met through imports, as per data compiled by the commerce ministry.
But while soybean and palm oil dominate these imports, mustard oil remains the frontrunner among those produced within the country.
Also, data of the Plant Quarantine Station at Chattogram port shows that mustard plant imports rose significantly in recent years.
In fiscal year 2023-24, about 3.36 lakh tonnes of mustard plants were imported through the country’s premier seaport.
The figure jumped to around 5.23 lakh tonnes in fiscal year 2024–25, up 35.74 percent year-on-year.
Meanwhile, mustard plant imports have already reached 1.81 lakh tonnes over the first five months of the current fiscal year.
Bangladesh imports mustard plants from several countries, including Australia, Turkey and India, with shipments arriving by both land and sea.
The raw ingredient is then supplied to both large scale and small-and-medium-sized refiners to produce mustard oil.
Dr Mohammad Shah Alam, deputy director of the Plant Quarantine Station, said there is no ceiling on mustard imports.
“Import permits are issued upon application, and a large share of the total mustard imports enter through Chattogram port,” he told TIMES of Bangladesh.
Domestic mustard production is also trending upward, with official stats indicating that the overall volume reached 15.34 lakh tonnes in fiscal year 2024–25.
Of this, about 2.94 lakh tonnes were produced in Bogura, 1.72 lakh tonnes in Dhaka, 1.46 lakh tonnes in Mymensingh, 1.23 lakh tonnes in Jessore and 1.17 lakh tonnes in Rangpur.
Md Nahiduzzaman, an official of the Department of Agricultural Extension, said the interim government has set a mustard production target of about 17.53 lakh tonnes for fiscal year 2025–26.
“Initiatives have been taken to boost mustard cultivation, and production is expected to rise further in coming years,” he added.
Mustard oil currently sells at Tk230 to Tk270 per litre depending on brand and quality, while traditional cold-pressed mustard oil is priced between Tk280 and Tk350 per litre.
Mustard seed prices range from Tk3,000 to Tk3,600 per maund (about 37 kilogrammes).
In addition to large refiners, the prevalence of small and mobile mills is increasing countrywide.
These mills travel to different neighbourhoods, crushing mustard seeds on the spot to sell fresh oil directly to local customers.
Just two years back, retailers in city corporations stocked limited quantities of mustard oil made by a handful of established brands.
Today, almost every kitchen market and grocery store carries both branded and non-branded mustard oil in large containers.
Shopkeepers say sales have increased several-fold, prompting them to source mustard oil even from small and marginal producers.
Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, who operates a mobile refinery in Chattogram city, said it takes about 3.5 kilogrammes of mustard seed to produce a single litre of edible oil.
Crushing up to three maunds of mustard seeds daily, he sells the oil at Tk240 per litre.
Rahman also informed that he sources most of the mustard seeds from Pabna.
“Sales are increasing every year, and demand is far higher than before,” he added.
